ALLEGED HORSE STEALING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3544, 30 September 1926, Page 3

ALLEGED HORSE STEALING.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. At the local Courthouse this morning, before Messrs J. K. Hornblow and D. R. Ogilvy, J’s.P., Joseph 'Neame, of Bainesse, was charged that on or about 10th August, at Bainesse, he did steal one gelding to the value of £2 from P. G. Jones.

Senior Detective Quirkc conducted the case for the Police, find Mr M. B. Bergin appeared for accused. Philip George Jones, farmer, of Bainesse, in evidence stated that he owned a gelding, which he had been grazing on Mr Gaze’s property at Bainesse.for the past two years. As a result of information received, he went to Mr Bailey’s farm, Pike’s Road, Bainesse, on September 2nd. There he was met by Constable Ryan and saw the grey gelding branded on the near shqnlder with a crown. Bailey said that he had bought the horse with two others from Joe Neame (accused). Did not give Neame any authority to sell the horse, or be in posssession of it. Accused’s father saw witness subsequently, and asked what witness had done in the matter. Witness informed him that he had notified the police. Valued the horse at £2. To Mr Bergin: Had previously had cattle grazing on Gaze’s property, three weeks prior to the disappearance of the horse. The horse was about 20 years of age, and hod been turned out “to end its days in peace and harmony.” Bailey lived between two and three miles away from witness. To Detective Qnirke: Accused knew the gelding was my property. Philip George Jones junr., son of previous witness, gave corroborative evidence. Last saw the horse three months ago, on Gaze’s property." Knew Neame, but never at any time gave him, or anyone else, permission to take possession of the horse and sell it. • To Mr Bergin: Seaton was a brother-in-law of witness, and lived a mile and a-half away. It was two months since witness passed Bailey’s place. Met Bailey at the factory some times, but he never said he hod the grey gelding. Met accused at the post office once, and he asked what witness intended to do with the grey gelding. Witness told him they intended to leave the horse on Gaze’s property till it died. No one else was present at the time of the conversation. That was two weeks before Constable Ryan commenced investigating the loss of the horse.

Alfred Thomas Bailey, farmer, of Bainesse, said that about the 10th August he had a conversation with accused. Some days previous witness made arrangements with accused to deliver three horses on to witness’s property, for £2 ss. About 10th August accused delivered two horses—a bay and a white. The next day he delivered a draught horse, and received the money. About three weeks later witness was informed that one of the horses had been stolen. About September 2nd Jones senr. and Constable Ryan

visited witness' farm, and looked at the horses, and Mr Jones identified iM the white horse as his property. The horse was one of the two purchased the ’first day. Accused never > mentioned were he got the horses. Witness purchased the animals • for pig food. That fact was known to accused -as ' witness asked accused if he had anything suitable for pig food. He had replied “Yes, I have three horses,” and said he wanted £2 for them. "Witness said he would give him £2 5s for them delivered on his farm. On 3rd September, accused visited witness, and in conversation gave witness the impression that the horse was Jones', and that he had permission to take it. Did not know the horse was Jones’ until Jones identified .it. Had killed one of the horses prior to Jones’ visit. Had the gelding grazing in a 20acre paddockJ on the road boundary with a frontage on Pike’s Pond of five chains. Witness lived two miles away from Jones’ by road. . 'Tr Mr Bcrgin: Had resided at Bainesse for 20 odd years. There was a good deal of traffic along Pike’s Road. The horses were brought to witness’ place in the daytime. Gould not say whethci accused brought the horses along the road. The condition of the geld-

ing was poor. Alfred Charles . Seaton, farmer, Pike’s Road, Bainesse, son-in-law of Jones, said lie had never given permission to anyone to take possession of the gelding. Since the welding was found on Bailey s farm accused had spoken to witness about it —a day or two after the police interviewed witness. Accused asked wligt all the bother was about the horse. Witness replied that the matter had nothing to do with him. Accused then said* that Jones junr. had given him the horse some.: time previously, at. Bainesse station, in the presence of Charlie Davcy. Charles T. Davey, a farm hand, of Bainesse, in evidence, stated that he knew the gelding, and the accused. He had no knowledge that accused had permission to take possession of the gelding and sell it. If accused said that witness was within hearing when he was given permission to take the horse, it would not be true. Tr AH Bergin: Had only seen acday” to each other. Hugh Lament, farm hand, of Bainesse, said that about flood time witness was asked by accused if he would buy three old horses he had. Wlitness replied that he did not want them, but that Mi’ Bailey might take them, A week or two

later, when accused delivered the horses to Bailey, he told witness of the transaction. ITc said he had got £2 for them, and 5s for taking them down. After Constable Ryan had visited Bailey’s farm accused visited witness, and told that the constable had been up to see the horses he had sold, and said one was stolen. Accused also said he thought they would put him up about it and asked if he would swear against Seaton that he (witness) had heard Seaton say that he had given the horse to accused. Witness replied that he could not swear that as he did not hear it.

To Mr Bergin: It was in the late afternoon when accused told witness he had sold the horses to Bailey. Accused told witness that the horse was given to him by Seaton.

Alfred William Gaze, farmer, of Taikorea,-manager of the property on Bainesse road, said that Jones had used the farm for grazing purposes for which he paid grazing fees. Two years ago, Jones turned out a grey gelding. Did not give anyone authority to take the gelding a wav or sell it.

Constable Ryan, said that on the 2nd September, in company with Jones senr. he visited Bailey’s farm and there saw a grey gelding which Jones identified as Ins. Later saw accused, who made a statement (produced) in which he said young .Tones had given him the horse. in the presence of Daley. The statement was made freely and signed after it had been read over by accused.

On the charge being read to him accused, who had nothing to say, pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court in Palmerston N. on 9th November for trial.

Bail was granted in self of £IOO and one surety of £SO.