MISSING CATTLE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1921, Page 1

MISSING CATTLE

TWO FARMERS CONCERNED. MASTER TON', July 15. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day K„v Ihiteup, stock dealer, and Roy Wiimhurst, drover, pleaded not guilty lo the following charges:--(D “That on or about June 30th., 1921,. they Atole loom Waingawa seven heifers, rained at £7O. the property (if Frank Price,” and (2) “that about the saim period they stole from Waingawa two heifers and two cows valued at L-10. the property of Henry Montgomery . Bateup was represented ty Mr -T. Miller and Wilmhnrsth bv Mr H. Dauiell. Sergeant Sweeney prosecuted, and although the evidence, except that, of Price and Montgomery, was identical tho charges were taken separately, on the application of counsel. Frank Price said he owned a farm at Waingawa and in one paddock o' 72 acres he had 37 cattle. They «

all thereon 26th.„ but seven were missing on Friday. July Ist. His fences were locked, with Hie exception of that leading into Montgomery’s paddock. This gate was secured with w irc. Though lie searched his farm b found no trace of the cattle, bet D' on h 0 found' tho hoofprints of cattle uo,'idling into Montgomery’s paddock. He found his horse in this paddock Front something witness heard F went to Feilding on July sth. there he recognised five of Hie heifers missing from Waingawa. TTo hiL" visited the paddock in company with others*. At Feilding he drafted D" heifers, which were returned +o Win" gawa. On July Btli. witness arrived in Masterton from Feilding. He went t„ Buiek’s paddock at Aktira. in company with Montgomery and a constable and then’ he saw two more of his heifers., Alt tho heifers mentioned had witness’s earmark’s. Witness did r known either of the aroused. Samuel Trass, farmer of I'ornridge, William Bridge, stock deaDr ol Mast,irton, and Frank Hill, stock agent employed by Abraham and Williams Feilding, all gave evidence iu refutation of t.ho statements accused bad made to the police. Constable Phillips and Sergeant Sweeney detailed the circumstances leading up to th( ' arl J‘ sl 1,1 accused and put in lengthy statements. The defence was reserved. Henry Montgomery, in evidence, stated that about tho same time, tin under similar circumstances to those in connection with the loss r f Price s cattle, lie missed from his farm at Waingawa two springing boilers and two cows. The defence was reserved on tie charge also, and accused wer ( > committod for trial to the Supr mv Court at Masterton in September. Bail w:allowed.