A SERIOUS CHARGE.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 5 December 1919, Page 3

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

J|, ALLEGED THEFT OF PIGS. .*’■ 'A case which attracted much local . interest, in which two Otaki young men named Samuel Cootes and Maneel Knocks were charged with stealing two pigs, valued at £5, the property of Sam. Morgan, of Otaki, was commenced at the S.M. Court, Otaki, this morning, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M. Mr R. J. Staveley appeared for defendants, and stated it was their wish to be tried at the Supreme Court. 'a Detective Quirke represented the /jlice. / Detective Quirlco stated: Sam Mor- , igan lives about 9 miles from accused, who are ongaged bush felling at Mangaone. On November 30th Morgan said to fed his pigs—a limited number —• and later missed two. The police made inquiries and both the owner and constable discovered blood about the styes, and later visited accused’s premises and found portions of pigs cut up, and hidden in rooms. Accused were asked for an explanation—one said it was wild pork, and the other said nothing. Cootes' pants had blood stains on; a Tope, blood-stained, was also found, while the stomach of a pig containing pollard was also found, .which showed the pigs were not wrild ones*

Sam Morgan stated: I am a farmer, V residing at Otaki. I‘fed my pigs on j Sunday, November 30, on pollard and J cheese whey. The next day, at 8.30 *; a.m., I noticed that two young pigs of approximate weight of 35 to 401 b were missing. I examined the ground round 1 about, and found traces of where horses had Como from tho direction of Otaki, and where they had been tied to my fences, and also traces of the horses having been taken in the direction of the Mangaono Valley. I also noticed blood stains at the stye. I know both the accused well, and know where they were living—about nine miles from my i house. I reported tho matter to the police, and in company with Constable Satherley on the 2nd December visited '■ accused's place as well as that of 1 others* .When we arrived at the Maori • huts tho two accused were not there, but with a Maori woman wc went to the bush and brought them back to the Camp. We told accused what our business was, that we were following up a Clue, and the pigs they had at their wharo were identical with those I had , missed. Accused did not reply for some • time, but talked 'between themselves in Maori. I asked them to explain where they got the pork. Accused started to come back to tho wharo, and on tho way Knocks said he had some pork at the whare, but that it. was not 'mine. Wc finally arrived at the camp. Constable Satherley asked them if they knew the purpose of their visit, and asked them what they had to say. Maneel Knocks said, “Wo’s got it!" Later on accused Knocks said they had shot it. Cootes was very quiet, and simply said ho knew nothing at all about it. When wo first arrived at the Camp we found pork (now in possession of the police). We found piecct of pork in a bdt,h, placed under a table in brine, and covered, with -sacks. The where was occupied, I think, by Mr Dave Cootes and Lydia - Knocks. The two accused had their whare three or four yards away. I did not visit the other whares. The pieces of pork found were tho portions of two young pigs—- ' similar to those missed by me. Tho constable found one stomach of a pig while I was in the bush. I unearthed Jho remains, which were buried about 35 inches deep. I examined the Stomach, and just as I was about to rip it 'open Knocks said, ‘‘You will find nothing in it but fern.” I opened it and found it contained pollard, and said to Knocks and Cootes that was what I fed my pigs on. Accused made Ho' remarks. The constable asked who buried it there, and I think it was i .[Willie Cootes who said, “I did.” I j Saw no domestic pigs, or signs of pigs, i about the camp.* Next day the constable and I went back for the stomach, j but it had disappeared. We made in- . iquiries, but act-used said they did notknow where it was. I value the pigs at, j £s—a Very low estimate. Accused did - Hot buy any pigs from me. j if, (Left sitting.) I