ALLEGED SHEEP-STEALING.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 28, 5 April 1907, Page 5

ALLEGED SHEEP-STEALING.

THE CASE RESUMED. EVIDENCE FOR WELLS BROTHERS ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL, Picton, Last Night. The adjourned case in which Wells Brothers were charged with alleged sheep-stealing was resumed at Picton this morning. After Mr McNab (for the accused) had outlined the case for the d. fence evidence was given by Captain George Henry Harris, who deposed that ewes would not allow strange lambs to suckle them, lie considered Captain Cracroft's Managor would have no interest in wrongly marking lambs belonging lo Yw-lis Brothers for Captain Crncroft. it was clear that a ewe would not ;i!l.>w a strange lamb to suckle her. If it were proved that the lambs which were the subject-matter of the present information were suckling Wells' ewes then the lambs were Wells' property, quite apart from how, when, or where they were ear-marked.

Herborfc Cam Seymour agreed with the former witness in every particular. To re-mark sheep which have been previously ear-marked was, he considered, a dishonest action.

The Court then adjourned for lunch. Afier lunch Sydney Borek (late of Maori Bay, now of Mangaweka) said that on 18th December last, at Four Fathom Bay, he helped to muster twenty-eight ewes and twenty-four lambs; the ewes had only Eli Wells' ear-mark. Eighteen of tho lambs had Cracroft's brand on and six Eli Wells' brand. At that time the eighteen lambs had not Wells' brand on, but saw Eli Wells put his ear-mark over Cracroft's. Could swear that the lambs with Cracroft's brand were suckling Well/ ewes. Witness was not present at time of delivery of sheep to Wilkinson. On the night of 17th December he heard a dog barking at Turn Point, the boundary between Cracroft's and Wells'; and it was there he helped to pick up the twenty-eight ewes and twenty-four lambs next morning. George Herring, cadet for Cracroft, gave important evidence. Ho said that on 13th November there were twenty-three of Wells' ewes, with lambs, on Cracroft's property. Wells asked for the ear-mark on tho 29th January, and was told it was broken and had been taken to Wellington to be mended. McNab marked the twenty-threo lambs with Wells' earmark. Wells came for the stray lambs in Marck, when he took away the earmark Heard Wells toll McNab that some of tho lambs had gone back. This was his (Herring's) first experience among sheep. Had never known McNab to be dishonest.

Daniel Borck, of Maori Bay, saw the twonty-cight ewes and twentyfour lambs being brought in; the lambs wore sucking their mothers. Joseph Wells said he was present at the time when McNab took the sheep from the yards ; there was no charge of sheep-stealing at the time. Daniel Eli Wells, one of the accused, also gave evidence, and outlined the defeuce. He saw twentyeight ewes and twenty-four lambs coming back on to his property ; the ewes had his ear-mark and the lambs Cracroft's ear-mark. Together with Sid. Borck and his brother, he marked eighteen of the lambs with a sheathknife, taking care not to obliterate Cracroft's car-mark. Ho was porfectly satisfied tho lambs were his, as they were suckling his ewos. There was nothing hidden or disguised. He personally took to McNab tho notice of his intention to ship. Could not swear that the diagrams produced wero facsimiles of the lambs' ears ho had remarked.

Tho case onded at six o'clock, tho two accusod being committed for trial at tho Supreme Court, bail being allowed as before.

Bank of New Zealand. Wellington, Last Night. Mr Harold Beauchamp has been elected Chairman of Directors of the Bank of Now Zealand.