Alleged Sheep Stealing.

Manawatu Herald, 4 August 1896, Page 2

Alleged Sheep Stealing.

At the Magistrate's Court, Palmer* ston, on Friday, Herbert Scott waa charged with stealing ten sheep, the property of William Farmer, of FilzhorW-t.

Dritectivo Bishop" stated ihat hs weub on the llt-b inst. to the fellmongery of Mr Hutehinson to have -a. .look at sonic sheepskins Bold by the accused. Seventy -two skins were pointed out to witness, who took charge of them. There were eleven skins with earmarks on them and these witness took away ou Monday. The skins were off long wool sheep. Went up to Scott's section on the following day. Messrs Pratt, Hewitt and Farmer accompanied witness, and after searching for some conj siderable time* found a hole which had been recently filled in not far from the whare on the section. A lot of fresh cut scrub bad been placed over the top of the hole. Took the scrub and top earth away and found the hole full of carcases of sheep ; the skins were taken off, but the head's and ears were on. Took out 29 bodies, which had Coombea' earmark on. On Tuesday, 14th inst., went again to the section accompanied by Messrs Pratt, Cameron and Farmer. Went up to the trig station on the back of the section. Found a spade and shovel there, and also saw roughly made sheep yards near a barbed wire fence, which separates the two sections — Scott's and Coombes'. On examining the fence found two po9ts had been drawn out and the staples also extracted. Wool was found on the post and wires. Searched the bush, which is close to the yard 3, and at the root of a fallen tree found another hole, which, like the other, had been recently filled in. Uncovered it and found the carcases of several shepp with the skins' off, but the ears left on the heads. Took out nineteen bodies, ten of which were earmarked with a split in one ear and a punch hole in the right ear similar to tha marks on the ear produced. Took possession of the heads with the ears on and have retained them since. The head produced is one of the heads taken from the hole.

William Farmer, sheep farmer, of Fitzherberfc, stated that he knew the accused. He bad a section some distance from the accused's section, the infcerveniog sections belonging to Messrs Johnson and Thomas. The hole was some distance in the bush and tbare were nineteen bodies in it a'l skinned. The sheep had been killed and skinned entirely, the heads however being left on the bodies and the ears on the heads. The ear produced bore the earmark used by witness. There were ten sheep in the hole bearing similar marks. Have never sold any of these sheep to Scott, but have sold them to other neighbours. Mustered the sheep on the day previous to the police coming out, and tallied 82 short;. The sheep were valued at 83 6d each.

Matthew Hutchinson, wool and skin buyer, Palmeraton North, said that he knew the accused and saw him at his place on the 22nd of June. He wa9 accompanied by a man named Bergersen. They brought some skins, wool and hide, which witness bought, and as the result of a conversation with aci cused, witness said that he would call at his section in Fitzherbert in about two weeks time. Accused had stated that he thought he would have a load of skins at that time. Witness said he would call on the 6th inst., and accused said that would suit. On the 6th inst. Bergensen came to his house early in the morning, and in consequence of what he was told, witness did not go to Fitzherbert until the Bth insfc, when he saw accused at the section. Saw some skins and accused told witness he had more at the back of the section, and if a price was agreed upon he (accused) would show them to witness. A price was settled and accused said he had 70 skins for which he received 8s each for the best and 23 6d for the rest, with the exception of a few small ones, which were thrown in to complete the bargain. Seventy two skins were bought. All with the exception of five or six skins, had been butchered, the few mentioned were dead skins. Witness asked accused how he had so many butchered skins, and he replied that he was butchering for the settlers for five miles up the river. He said he had not a license and wished

witness to say nothing about the transaction or what he was doing as the batchers in the town would object. Told accused to call at his (witness) house in the evening and he would be paid. Accused called and received payment for the amount of his account, £9. Offered accused a cheque, but he said he preferred the cash. Witness produced the receipt received from accused, and described the wool on the skins bought. The police eventually took possession of the skins. John R. F. Pratt, sheep farmer, of Fitzherbert, corroborated the detective's evidence.

William Cameron, and Benjamin Deely were also examined, the latter witness saying on the 9th mat., Mr George Scott, a brother of the accused, came to the whare. Bergersen, witness and acoused were also there. Mr G. Scott asked Bergersen when he came to the whare and Bergersen had replied that afternoon. Scott said it was a lie and asked Bergersen what about the skins he had sold to Hutchison. Bergersen did not reply, and Mr G. Scott then asked the accused if he had a share in it. Could not swear to the answer given. G. Scott told Bergersen to clear out, and that he had no right there. Bergersen went away shortly afterwards. Mr G. Scott said that it had been found out to whom the skins belonged. Accused did not answer anything, and after that Mr G. Scott sent witness into another room. The accused and his brother were talking for some time. Had seen Hutchison take away the skins, which were brought from a clearing near where the bodies of the sheep were found. When accused went away he told witness where all the tools where, and left him in charge of the place. Accused said he was going South. Accused, who reserved his defence, was committed to stand his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court at Wellington. Bail was refused.

Accused was further charged with stealing 57 sheep from William Coombs.

The evidence in this case was similar to the last on the part of the detective, and other evidence was called showing the sale of sheep from Smith Bros, station to W. Brewer and from him to W. Coombs, so that the earmark could be traced.

William Coombs, sheep-farmer, Fifczherberfc, stated that he had proproperty adjoining the section owned by the accused. The earmark used by witness was a slit in the right ear and a piece cut off the left ear in a slanting direction. There was one of the heads bearing his earmark and the others bore similar marks but he would not swear to the sheep. If he saw sheep bearing those earmarks in an adjoining paddock to his, he would quite possibly claim them as his. Did not go to the police station after the Friday because witness thought he had come to a wrong conclusion with regard to the skins. Was at the police station at 480 p.m. on Friday. Nothing definite occurred to stop him taking further steps Received a cheque between Friday and Saturday. The name of G. J. Scott was on the cheque. It had been given to witness on the understanding that if witness found out the sheep were not his, the cheque was to be returned. Received the cheque about the 11th inst. It was before the cheque was given that witness decided not to go on with the case. He had known Mr Scott for many years. He had never made up his mind to go on with the case. Went to the police station of his own free will on Friday. Got the cheque on Saturday, and did not go back to the police. The cheque was paid into nil account. Could not say positively when the cheque was returned, bat it had been done by witness giving his cheque for the amount, bat coald not say if he gave it after the accused was arrested.

Aceosed reserved his defence, and was committad to take his trial at tbe next sittings of the Supreme Court at Wellington.

Hildus Bergerson was charged with that he, together with one Herbert Scott, did steal, take and carry away ten sheep, the property of William' Farmer.

The evidence was similar to the above, though the accused made a itatemenfc.

Hi* Worship said he bad no doubt that a prima facie case was made out which necessitated his committal to stand his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, Wellington. Bail was refused.