Alleged Sheep-stealing.

Manawatu Herald, 30 May 1893, Page 2

Alleged Sheep-stealing.

1, Two men, James Brown and John { Nelson Lindstrom, charged with having stolen two sheep, the property of John Smyth, of Kumeroa, Woodville, have been committed for trial. The following particulars are • from the Examiner :— , The complainant deposed that • accused took a fencing contract from

him nine or ten months ago, and ■were living in a whare on his place, four or five miles from where witness resided. After mustering put back about 630 sheep and about 80th March last mustered again and had only 550. Accused Brown and Nelson of killing his sheep as he saw a cask of salt mutton in their whare. Another thing made him suspect accused was that Michael, Brown's stepson, came on a Sunday for mutton, saying they had none',~a,bd on Monday morning • witness gave half a sheep. Was at their wharo on following Thursday, and found the half sheep untouched and a camp oven full of mutton. A boy named Henry Collett, stepson of Brown, worked for witness. This boy told witness accused were killing his sheep. That da&Nelson came to . the whare, and the^Ooylaskfld him if they were still M^ng the sheep. Nelson denied it^Qn last Wednesday night the $$ indicated a certain place where sfi^skins were buried. Witness and Huhratn) Collis went to the place nea||^|cuiefl s whare and dug up two skins With heads on, bearing his ear-mark. Charged accused with offence, and they denied it, Nelson saying witness gave them permission to* kill sheep. This he denied. Brown's boys, told him he could find other skins, and when he went to the place he found five other skins, but they were so far gone except one that they would fall to pieces if touched. Brought away the ears of the skin which was sound, and recognised on them his earmark. Found six more sheep 'in different places pointed out. by. the boys. Another witness, Henry Collett, a lad of 12 years, said he at present lived with complainant. When he lived with his stepfather he saw accused kill five of Smith's sheep. The first one he saw killed was caught by Brown. Witness' brother dug the hole, and Brown put in ifc the entrails, skin and head. Smith's ear-mark was on it. The next one they killed they chased down? and caught in the Week and was Jkilled by Brown. The skin was buried in the corner by the whare. Brown dug the hole and buried the skin, Nelson carried the sheep to "the whare.. The next one they chased into the creek and carried it up to the whare and killed it there. The skin of that one was burned. Mr Smith's ear mark was on it. The next sheep was caught in the scrub and carried to the whare alive in a bag. Both accused were present. The skin of that , was £lso ? burned. The next was-"lqng-iailed : j "Wholly lamb caught in a corner by the whare. Brown killed it. The skin was burned. Brown killed the sheep and Nelson caught them.. v Told Mr Smith where the .sheep' had b?ea killed and where He -could find |he skins. .. < . . ■ t . , |