ALLEGED CATTLE STEALING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 440, 17 February 1912, Page 4

ALLEGED CATTLE STEALING.

TANGITU SETTLERS CHARGED

FIVE COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. At Te Kuiti Magistrate's Court yesterday a charge of cattle stealing wa3 preferred against six Tangitu settlers named Frank O'Kceffe, Nelson Fraei, Ahvin Wilie, Robert Maxwell Wilie, Edmund Frederick Fraei, and Victor Fraei. Mr Sharpies appeared for for O'Keeffe, Nelson Fraei and Victor Fraei, and Mr Finlay ap peared for two Wilies and Edmund Frederick Fraei. Constable Mathew conducted the prosecution, and in opening the case stated the accused went cattle hunting on some native land. The evidence would go to show that five beasts were killed. In the case of three of them the quarters were taken, while two of the carcases were left intact. In each case the ears had been removed for | the beasts that were killed with the obviou 1 ? design of making identification difficult. Evidence was given by F. Hurley and H. Houghton, who declared the cattle which had been killed were beasts that had been lost by them. Other witnesses for the prosecution wore John Coombridge. Peter Baer, F. W. Northcroft and Constable Mathew. After hearing at length the evidence for the prosecution the case against Victor Fraei was dismissed, and the other accused, who reserved their defence, were committed for trial to the Supreme Court at Hamilton. Bail was allowed accused in their own recognisances of £25 each and one surety of £25. A charge of theft of a watch from a dwelling preferred against Victor Fraei was adjourned till March loth.