Police Court.

Manawatu Herald, 8 February 1894, Page 2

Police Court.

(Before E. S. Thynne and F. Robinson, Esqrs., J's.P.) Monday, sth February. criminal. Watene was charged that he did feloniously receive of one John Steer six sheepskins of the goods and chattels of one John Davies, which had then lately before been feloniously stolen. The constable prosecuted. The prisoner was undefended. Hokowhitu Makirika deposed to having acted as interpreter on Tuesday last for the constable and Mr Davies. He gave similar evidence as is hereafter given by Mr Davies. J. W, Walsh deposed to purchasing six skins for 15s from accused on the 4th December ; he remarked that they belonged to different men ; they were of different qualities, some nearly full-woolled skins others with less wool ; they were all good skins ; had bought other lots from accused ; could not say whether the skins were those of ewes or wethers ; did not notice any brands. John Davies deposed — I met accused on Tuesday ; he was asked whether he knew that Steer was arrested ; he said he did ; he said he knew about this killing sheep aud disposing of skins ; on very many occasions he had taken skins to Foxtou and sold them and took the payment to the old man Steer ; that Steer gave him part of the proeoeds in payment for his trouble. He was asked if he knew the skins were stolen and he said " Yes, he knew they were." He further volunteered the statement that the old man Steer had given meat or' mutton to Aripa; he said he knew the skins were off my shee. Tha constable gave some formal evidence.

The accused, on being duly warned, declined to be sworn but desired to make a statement which was to the effect that all the evidence given was correct. He did not know the law. Tho Bench postponed pronouncing sentence till Monday next, to enable the accused to take advantage of the clause of the Act by which on paying four times the value of the property, and costs the accused could be dismissed without conviction.