THEFT OF COWS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 69, 8 April 1937, Page 12

THEFT OF COWS

Man's Unusual Actions PROBATION GRANTED An interesting story of how a man stole three cows from a paddo£i in Pakipakki, but finished up with selling only one, the other two having been claimed by their owners while the animals were being driven to the works to be killed was told by Deteetive-Ser-geant Revell at the Hastings Magistrate's Court yesterday morning when George Elsworth appeared before Mr J. Miller, S.M., charged with (1) on March 29 stealing a* cow, valued £4, the property of Henry CracknelJ, and (2.) stealing two cows, valued £15, the property of A. W. McDonald. "A few months ago this man visited Pakipaki and while there he learnt that a number of cows, belonging to different residents in and about Hastings, were left to graze in a paddock there," said the poliee officer. "Later he conceived the idea of stealing some of the cows. He engaged __a drover from Hastings and they rounded up three cows. "Just after the cows were taken from the paddock, Mr McDonald eame along and claimed one of the cows and this was returned to the paddock," continued Mr Revell. ' ' The journey was then continued, but when passing Mr Cracknell's place Mrs Cracknell recognised one of the two remaining cows and this was also claimed. That left him with one cow and this he a few minutes later disposed of for £2 10/to a man who was driving a herd of cows to the works. The cow in question was eventually killed," said Mr Revell. "This is the first time thifc man has been in trouble," added the police officer. "He is a single man, aged 27 years, and I am of the opinion that he is subnormal. ' ' For the aecused, Mr Le Bon Helleui said that the action of the accused lacked the characteristic skill and cunning of most theft cases. He said that the accused had already been in custody for a week, and his trouble was really caused by being worried on account of unempJoyment. Counsel said that he was a good worker and it was believed the Placement Officer could find him a job in the cCuntry. The Magistrate said that ke would take into consideration the fact that the aecused wafe not norma], and plaeed him on probation for a period of three years. During that period the accused is to refrain from taking iiquor and also not allowed to associate with a particular person. He was to mako restitution of £5.