CHARGE OF HORSE STEALING.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 722, 11 April 1922, Page 5

CHARGE OF HORSE STEALING.

PLEA OF NOT GUILTY ENTERED. COMMITTED TO SUPREME COURT FOR TRIAL. Charles John Williams, labourer, of Mercer, was charged, before Messrs Frank Perkins and J. G. Russell, J’s.P, at the Police Court, Pukekohe, on Thursday last that he did steal, on or about 14th October, 1921, at Kopuku, (near Maramarua) one horse of the value of £ls, the property of Thomas Edward Hallett, of- Mercer. Thomas Edward Hallett, farmer and storekeeper, residing at Mercer, said he knew the accused, who came into his employ on May 10th, 1921. Witness employed him to work and manage a farm he had at Kopuku. On 2nd July, 1921, witness purchased a horse for £ls, and gave it to the accused to take and work on the farm. The horse in question v/as a chestnut mare, with a white streak on the face and a Roman nose. The mare tied up in the Court yard was his mare. He did not give accused autho"Tty to se:!J: the mare or any of his stock. Subsequently the accused came to Mercer and met witness. He said the mare had met with an accident and was killed while after stock. He said he was riding the mare and when after the cattle the mare fell into a trench made by the Maoris and was killed, (the accused) the rider being thrown heavily. Witness remarked upon receipt of this news that “we are having nothing but hard luck,” seeing that accused had toKd him several of the dairy cows had died. Accused left witness’ employ on 14th November, 1921, and this occurred while accused was in his employ. He never saw the mare again until to-day—the day of the hearing of the case.

To accused: Witness bought the mare from a Mr Freeborn on July 2nd and paid £ls fo.r her. 1 Witness did not stop the money out of accused’s wages. Accused *told him that the mare was dead.

Henry Charles Downie, farmer, residing at Kopuku, said he knew the accused fairly wel', having known him for four years. On the 14th October, 1921, witness purchased! a chestnut mare with a white face from the accused for £lO. The mare outside the Court was the one. Witness paid £5 cash and gave accused a heifer valued at £5 as the balance., Accused sold the mare as if it was his own property. ; Constable Horan, of Mercer, said that when he informed accused of the charge he asked him what horse he was referring to, and told him it was the horse that belonged to “Ted” Hallett, and the one that was supposed to have been killed through falling into the old Maori trenches, when after stock. Accused remarked that he had paid Hallett for the horse he having stopped the money out of his wages. Accused who had nothing to say, pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.