MAYOR’S COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 2970, 26 August 1872, Page 2

MAYOR’S COURT.

This Day. (Before His Worship the Mayor.) DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Frederick Ayers ivas fined 5s for this offence. Wm. Champion was also lined ss. BYE-LAW CASE. Alexander Brown was fined 40s and costs for riding upon a dray drawn by three horses, upon the Main North Road at Caversham, without sufficient reins, and a competent person to take charge of the horses. SHEEP STEALING. John Batty was charged with stealing sixteen sheep at Blueskin on the 3rd of August, the property of Edward Menlove. of George street. Mr Barton defended.

The following additional evidence was given ; James Bennett, shepherd, in Mr Menlove’s employ, said he got 200 sheep for Mr Menlove from Mr Reid. He delivered them to Mr Oliver on the 29th July, between Kakanni and Otepopo, Subsequently he received 324 more sheep from Mr Anderson, of Otepopo, which he also delivered to Oliver. He would swear that the sheepskins shown to him by Detective Farrell were some of the 200 he delivered to Oliver. In cross-exami nation witness said he received the sheep on the 27th of July, James Oliver, settler, residing at Kakanui, said he received 200 sheep from James Bennett on the morning of the 29th July, which he drove to Otepopo. At that place he saw Bennett again, and received more sheep from him—he thought about 304. He drove the whole lot to Moeraki bush, where he counted them and made 521. From Moeraki he went to Palmerston, where he again counted the sheep, and found the number to be the same. Witness afterwards met accused, who asked him how many sheep he had for him. Witness told him 504. On the following morning he met Batty at the township of Waikouaiti with the sheep, when both counted them. Witness made 521, and accused said there were only 520. Batty then said that witness had more than the 5 0$ which he told him last night. Witness replied he knew there were more than 504, but what were over was Mr Menlove’s profit, and all •he required was a receipt for that number. He recognised the brands on the twelve hides as belonging to the 200 he received from Bennett. In cross-examina-tion witness said he understood that Bennett told him in the second lot there were only 304 sheep, and he accepted the delivery of that number. It was possible that Bennett said he had 324, although at the time he had no doubt he said 304. Alexander Charlton, butcher, Blueskin, bought sheep of accused on the 3rd of August. Prom information received from accused, witness met him at the bar of the Waikouaiti Hotel, and asked him if he would let him have lifteen sheep. Accused said he would, and witness agreed to give him 8s 6d per head for the sheep, and a dog which witness valued at L 3. Witness settled with the accused, and gave him L 6 16s and the dog He had given the deteetive two of the skins, add had brought ten with him that day, and he believed them to be the same as belonged t« the sheep he bought of accused.

George Smith, clerk to Mr Menlove, said accused came to him on Saturday, 3rd August, and stated that he had a mob of 504 sheep for Mr Menlove, which he had left at Armstrong’s. Witness asked accused if he had sold any sheep on the road, and he replied he had not. ■ n the following Saturday accused came to the office and handed hun the list of expenses. It M'as the duty of accused if he sold any sheep to account for them to witness. Prisoner, on being asked if he had anything to say, said he would reserve his defence. His Worship said prisoner would stand committed for trial at the coming sessions. In reply to Mr Barton, he stated if bail was accepted it must be subtantial.