CHARGE OF SHEEP STEALING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9368, 10 February 1909, Page 5

CHARGE OF SHEEP STEALING.

The second oblige against Herbert Bergtsrom, of stealing at Pahiatna 120 sheep, the property of Arthur James Balfour, was heard at Palmerston Magistrate’s Court yesterdaj', before Messrs H. Waldegrave and W. Beok.J.’aP. The managers of the Balfour Estate gave evidence of the loss of sheep and stated that some of them had .been identified on the Wybourne Estate. Waverley. John Vile, settler at the foot of the Tararuas, said he had seen defendant driving sheep in September last. They were put in witness’ yard for two hours. Two tired wethers were left with witness and one was killed later. The other was handed over to Detective Quirke. E. R. Jackson, auctioneer, Wanganui, said that on the 30th September he got a telegram from Palmerston signed G. Johnson, which said : “Sending sheep’ by tram; please take off truck; at Wanganui and sell them; missed train myself.’’ That was the first communication about the sheep. Tiicre were 116 4-tooth wethers in good condition and they were sold that day to Mr Wybourne, of Waverley, for 14s sd. Witness knew nothing about “O. Johnson,” and had never seen him before. Accused was the man who gave his name as Johnson. Next morning he called at the office and being suspicious witness took accused into the room and asked him where he got the sheep. Accused replied that he bought them from a man named G. Lioburn near the Fitzherbert bridge, Palmerston North. Lobnrn was bringing them to the Palmerston sale, and he gave him £76 for them. The money was paid at the Commercial Hotel, and accused said he had left the receipt at home. He also said i.e did not know Loburn, but thought be was a farmer living at Fitzherbert. Witness refused to pay the cheque as he didn’t know him and advised him to go back to Palmerston and enquire from Abraham & Williams who Looum was. Witness said he would write to Abraham & Williams explaining the matter, and if they were satisfied witness would pay the cheque. Accused conld not give the name of any person from whom witness could get a reference. On sth October a telephone message was received from Bell, Qnlly & Cooper stating that Johnson was at their office and demanding the cheque. The message stated that Johnson bad a receipt with him from Loburn. Witness replied that he did not know who Lohurn was and that Johnson might have written the receipt. Witness was still suspicious of the case, and would not pay out. On 9th October a letter was received from Johnson demanding the money. Witness replied that he was trying to find out what the earmarks were. On the 12th he got a letter'frora the lawyers threatening legal proceedings if the cheque were not sent immediately. The cheque was sent. Mauley Wybonrne, of Waverley, sheepfarmer, said he bought a line of 4-tootb wethers at Jackson’s sale in Wanganui on September 30th. - Later on, Mr Shekletou, Detective Quirke and Mr Rodney came to inspect his sheep, and he picked out 30 4 tooth wethers from a mob. They were part of a lot bought at Jackson’s. The rest had been disposed of. For about a month after they were purchased the sheep were kept apart at Mr Jackson’s request. Constable Tanner, Pahiatna, said he went to Mr Yile’s place on Ist February and got a four-tooth wether from him. The wether was brought to the police station, Palmerston. Thomas Quirke, detective, said that on February Ist be had gone to Yile’s with Constable Tanner, and got a statement from him, also a four-tooth wether} The sheep was identified by Mr Shekletou at Pahiatua. On February 4th witness charged accused with the theft of 120 sheep, to which he made no reply. Before charging him witness read Vile’s statement to accused, to which be replied that he knew nothing about tho sheep. A notebook fonnd on accused contained the names of O. Johnson, Bergstrom and Berkstrom. Witness produced the consignment note from the railway station for the sheep sent to Wanganui. It was signed O. Johnson. Accused pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence. He was committed for trial to the Supreme Court. No further bail was fixed.