ALLEGED HOUSE STEALING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2140, 24 July 1907, Page 1

ALLEGED HOUSE STEALING

At the Police Court yesterday morning a native named Jlina Tut.arakaiuka was charged with the theft o) three marcs aiul three foals, the property of Matamua Wliakamoo. Mr. Goii'e acted as interpreter. Matamua Wiiakamoe deposed that ho resided, at Wai'karamoana. lie was a settler and had horses running at Waikaromoana .and at Papum. There were 12 horses running at Papuni, 3 mares, 0 foals and 3 stallions. He saw the horses in July 1906 and on March 25th'.last and now could find none of them, . lie found three mares and three foals at Wharckop.ie, in the iiossession ol Mr. Walter Judd. The mares wero branded. He icported liis loss to. tho Gisborne jiolice. Plaintiff valued the mares at £6 each and tho foals at £1 Mini. He was looking after one of the mares for liis uncle Hapita Maitai. He saw the mares with foals at a livery stable in Gisboruo that morning. Did not dispose of the horses in any way. Knew the accused who hid no right or claim to the horses. Hapita Maitai deposed that ho i.as a settler residing at Tolago Bay, and was plaintiff’s brother-in-law. His wife had horses running at PapJiii and plaintiff was looking' after tl tin for her. Witness got a maro turn Jenkins, Wairoa, and had n it s‘ i n the horses since 1903, until bo £. w them that morning at a livery and bait stables in Gisborne. He was positive one of them was the maro tie got from Jenkins which he valued at £6.

Walter James Judd deposed that he was a farmer living in the Pat-u----tahi valley. He knew the accused by sight, and bought 4 horses from him oh March 14th last paying £lB for them. He made the purchase at the Matawliero saleyards and the accused signed the butt of witness’ cheque-book as a receipt. On the following day witness bought 7 more horses and paid the accused £l7 for them. This also at the saleyards. Matamua Whakamqe came to witness’s place'after'dark oiie night and claimed 3 mares and 3 foals describing their brands. In the morning witness took Matamua to the paddock and he pointed out tile horses. Witness handed the horses over to constable Dovle. George Jen'kins deposed that he

was a coach proprietor at Wairoa. Ho bad dealings with llapita Maitai on tho 18 January,l9o2, when ho exchanged a bay mare branded with a heart brand on tho near shoulder. The mare had a foal at foot, 110 next saw the mare ill a stable at Gisborne and had no doubt about it being tho same. At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Stock, who appeared for the accused asked for an_ adjournment till 2 o’clock, which His Worship granted. . , , , Tho caso was continued at 2 o’clock tlio accused Eria Tutarakaiulca reserving his dolonco. He was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supremo Court to be held at Gisborne. Bail was allowed in self £IOO und two sureties of £SO each or one in £IOO.