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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2098, 5 June 1907, Page 4

J. R. Little, Borough sanitary inspector, deposed that bo was at Wellington street, on 17th May and saw some horses wandering about the road. Saw a creamy horse cross the road.

Edward Wilkinson, ranger and poundkooper, stated on tho day in question he met the defendant about hnlf-pust threo in Gladstone road. Ho asked witness whore ho was going and ho was told that he was looking lor somo horses astray, and whereupon Webb said ho had some horses in tho vicinity, but they were all tied up. Witnoss roniarked that if they wero tied up off tlio road tlioy would bo all right. Witness proceeded to Wellington streot and saw a creamy liorso on tho road, and ns ho walkod to it, tho animal moved off towards a section, and as ho was putting tho rope on, defendant caught hold of him and kept him back, while the horse got away. Wobb said it was his horse. Witness said that it would not bo his as his (defendant’s) wero all tied up. Saw defendant lator with Mrs. Kirk, and ho said that ho had permission to tie his horses on tho section.

By Mr Stock: Was certain that tho horse was not tied up. Saw no one about at tlio time. There was only one horse tethered on tho soction. Did not interfere with tho latter horse.

For the defence, Mr. Stock said tho liorso was not on tho road at all, and that Wilkinson was trying to untotkor tho liorso.

William Webb, deposed that on 17th May, ho had two creamy ponies and a white one, tethered on an unfonced section next Mrs. Kirk’s. Witness stood on tlio footpath and saw that they wero all tethered. Wilkinson came up and said ho was looking for some horses. None of his horses wero on tho road. Saw no other horses on tho rOad. The poundkeeper wont) up to his liorso, which was tothored, and witness said ho had permission to use tho section. If ho was on the wrong one he would shift immediately. The horses wero tied 15 or 20 yards from the footpath. Did not catch the poundkeoper by the board or assault him. A mail named Greenwood came by and could soo what took place. By Mr. Coleman: Plaintiff undid witness’ tether. Stood on tho footpath for a long time, but not in order to drive the horses to the section, if necessary. Would swear he did not assault Wilkinson, and used 1 no abusive language. Alfred Greenwood, a cattle dealer, stated that he was talking to Webb and saw no horse on the road. Saw three horses on a vacant section. Could not say if tlioy were loose or tied up. There were two creamies and a gray. While he was tliore none of tho horses were on tlio road. Witnoss was away about ten minutes and when he returned the horses were in the same place. His "Worship decided that notwithstanding the evidence of defendant he was satisfied that the horses wero on the road. It was too much to suppose that the poundkeoper would come here and tell deliberate lies. When people interfered with tho seizure of impounded cattlo, they must bear tho consequences. He would inflict a fine of £l, costs £1 12s.