ALLEGED HORSE-STEALING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2026, 11 March 1907, Page 1

ALLEGED HORSE-STEALING

At Wnirou, To Oono Tipu, of Kopmvhnni, a native, was charged with on or about 9th January last at Nulnvka stoaling a black marc valued at £3, the property of one Harry Wells. Harry John Wells, sworn, said he was a boardinghouse-keeper at Nuhaka. On 14th March, 1900, Epanaia Whanga sold him a black filly itil a white faco and no brand. He paid Epanaia 30s for the filly and put her in his paddock whore sho remained until about 9th January when he missed her. A fortnight ago ho saw the mare at Mahia in the possession of a Mr Ashworth, and in consoqucnco of what ho told him reported the matter to the police. Ho valued the mare now at £lO. The filly was about a year old when ho bought her. By accused: Could swear accused took the filly out of his paddock.

Epanaia Whanga, sworn, said be was a shcepfarmer residing at Whangara. Ho remembered having a black filly with a white face. Ho sold it to Harry A\ ells for 30s (receipt produced). He knew accused and never gave him the filly. At a conversation the previous day attho polico station in the prcsenco of Constable Luke with accused, the latter had confessed that witness didn't give him the filly. By accused : Gave him some horses to break in.

By Polico: The filly was in the possession of Wells when ho gave accused his horses to break in. He didn’t pay accused anything for breaking in his horses. Ho did give him a horse about 12 months before he employed him, but it was nothing like the filly in question.

Steward George Glennie deposed he was a dairy-farmer residing at Nuliaka. On 25th January last he was with accused and looking at some horses on the Sandhills at Mahia. He noticed a filly and asked whom it belonged to. Accused said it was his. Witness offered £3 for it. Next day accused said it was all right, the horse was delivered to him, and he paid the prisoner (receipt produced). He subsequently sold the horse to Paul Perea, who disposed of it to Arnold Ashworth. Walter Torr, sworn, said on 16th February last he went to Mahia and saw accused, owing to a complaint by Mr H. Wells. He read a statement made by the accused to the effect that about a year ago Epanaia had told him to break in all his horses, and told him he could pick out any ono of the lot for himself. He caught the one in dispute and sold it to Mr Glennie for £3. He ‘didn’t show it to Epanaia as he was busy at the time. When breaking in the horses he asked Epanaia for that one and he agreed. Witness arrested accused next day. On the way to Wairoa accused said, “ I suppose this case will go right to Napier, and I will get 12 months for it. But I don’t care. If I get out pf this I’m going to run straight for the future.” Witness took possession of the filly at the time of the arrest, and it was now in the possession of Mr Wells.

Harry AVells, re-examined, said the horse was now in his paddock. Constable Luke deposed to being present at a conversation between Epanaia and the accused at the Wairoa police station. Accused said, “You did not give me the filly in dispute. I took it myself, and know I did wrong in talcing it.” Accused, addressing the Court, said ho caught tile horse by mistake. When he sold it to the pakelia ho didn’t know Epanaia had sold it. He now found lie was wrong jn selling the horse without making enquiries.

Acouscd was committed for trial at tho next sitings of the Supreme Court in Napior. Bail was allowed, himself in £SO and one surety of £SO.