NEW PHASE OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN MESSRS. MEEK AND MR. SCOTT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1224, 19 March 1880, Page 2

NEW PHASE OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN MESSRS. MEEK AND MR. SCOTT.

—j- - fr- ' Timaru, March 18. At the Resident Magistrate's Court this afternoon, Jas. M'Leish, Charles Bull, and Robert ISTesbit were charged with creating , a riot at, Pig-Hunting Greek, a few miles south of Tiruaru. The circumstances of the case are as follow :—Some weeks ago M'Leish bought over 800 sheep from one Scott, a partner of Messrs. Meek, at Oamaru. On the sheep arriving in the vicinity of Timaru they were put in a paddock by M'Leish, and afterwards removed by one Orr, as agents of Messrs. Meek. M'Leish laid an information against Orr for sheep-stealing, but the case was dismissed. This morning, Orr, with a strong gang of men, again removed the sheep, and M'Leish started after them with a stronger force, and, after considerable hustling, drove the sheep back towards Timaru. Orr then gave M'Leish and the others in charge. Orr was afterwards arrested on a similar charge, and this evening five more men on M'Leish's side have been taken into custody at Orr's instigation. The affair has created great excitement. March 19„ Sixteen rnen have been arrested on a pharge of riot and assault in connection with the fight for possession of a mob of sheep, which occurred at Pig-Hunting Creek yesterday, and warrants are out for several others. Eleven of the men are being criminally prosecuted. The prosecuting counsel asks that the eleven men, including M'Leish, should be committed for trial. The case will occupy the Court all day.