ALLEGED HORSE STEALING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2053, 13 April 1907, Page 3

ALLEGED HORSE STEALING.

An ex-Te Ante student, 'known as Joe Riley, was charged before Messrs Sherwood and Ludbrook, J.P.’s, at Waipiro Bay yesterday with stealing a horse, valued at about £7, the property of Kiriama Hikihiki. Detective Maddern conducted the prosecution. • Kcrcania Hikihiki, a laborer, of Tuparoa, deposed that, lie branded the horse in question on the shoulder. When K was missed he reported the matter to the police. Accused tried to sell the horse; ho liad no authority for so doing. By accused: He did not remember giving him a horse. Aliipenc Mika, son-in-law of the previous witness, said lie met accused at Waitangi and asked him what had become of tlio marc that lie rode to Port Awanui. He said he sold it to Constable Mcllsop. Abraham Tainihere, native minister at Tupal-oa, supported tlie prosecution.

Constable Mcllsop, of Port Awanui, stated that accused was arrested by Constable Te Rata on January 29th on a minor offence. He was bailed out the following afternoon, and as. witness was riding to Te Horo he overtook accused, who offered to sell; the horse he was riding, and asked j for £B. The transaction was com- j pletcd at £7. Accused stated that his grandfather gave him the horse when it was a foal. As he did not have the money at the time lie gave accused an order to go to Mr. Kirk, storekeeper. For the defence accused admitted selling the horse to Constable Mellsop, but stated that it was given him by Kereama. Apikara Pa'karoa, a married woman, said that she was present at the branding, and she heard Kereama say that the horse was to be accused’s.

Accused was committed for trial, bail being allowed in one sum of £IOO and two sureties.