ALLEGED THEFT OF SHEEP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2650, 25 October 1923, Page 3

ALLEGED THEFT OF SHEEP.

STOCK DEALER CHARGED. Palmerston N. October 24. At the Police Court to-day, Richard Benjamin Knight, stock dealer, was charged that at Feilding on July 28th, he did steal 345 ewes, valued at £440, the poperty of Joseph M. Bennett. Evidence was adduced that Bennett and accused had a long standing arrangement that the, latter should buy sheep in complainant’s name and do the droving. Except on three occasions the agreement had been regularly carried out. Evidence of several stock deals made By accused, at Pahiatua, Eketahuna and Mangatainoka, and later sold to other farmers was given. Detective Culloty deposed that when questioned at his farm near Hamilton, after his disappearance, accused produced a new pair of boots, saying: “This is all T have left of the sheep,” and added that, the rest of the money had gone at the races .at Christchurch. Counsel admitted that accused had bought the sheep in his own name, and (he man could not steal what was sold to him. The charge was “stealing sheep” not “failing to account.” The mere fact, he said, that Bennett was financing Knight, did not make the sheep Bennett’s. The Bench decided that a prima facie ease had been made out. Accused pleaded- not guilty, and was committed for 5 trial. Bail was' renewed. '"V -