THEFT OR STARVATION?

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 209, 23 November 1927, Page 9

THEFT OR STARVATION?

FARM MANAGER CHARGED CAPACITY OF PROPERTY (From Our Ourn Correspondent) HAMILTON. To-day. There were amusing exchanges in the Supreme Court to-day. when the i case again Waaka Matenga. farm ! manager, of Ongoroto. on a charge of theft of 21 head of <A»ttle. the property j of Walter Samson, was resumer. | Kenneth Seymour Cox. sheep fax- ; mer, had known accused seven yc.ir>. : and had financial dealings with him. j Accused was perfectly honest. The j disappearance of the cattle could be accounted for by starvation, as the fences were in a bad state of disrepair, and any stock could wander in. Cross-examined by Mr. Gillies, witness admitted that he had had slight differences with Samson, but denied that they had infiuemed his evidence Evidence was given by Thomas Vivian Humphries. manager of a 10,000-acre sheep farm at Atiamuri. that he had known Matenga for six years, and he was honest in every respect. The disappearance of 40 head of cattle from Samson's property was just what he expected when sharemilking began. Th«s winter carrying capacity of the farm was about a quarter that of the summer, and the property was stocked up to its full summer requirements when Matenga took it over. Another writness stated that at Waaku’s dictation he wrote a letter to Samson, but, instead of saying that Waaka wanted to sell all the steer calves, he made a mistake. Counsel: When did you discover the mistake? Witness: When the court proceedings came up. “Oh, I see,” remarked his Honour significantly. Witness said many calves died from insufficient food, and through being weaned too early. Mr. Gillies: Were you ever in court? Did you not get a sentence for expert handwriting?—Yes. Mr. Gillies stated that witness had received one and a-half years in the Borstal Institute for forgery and utterj ing. | An elderly Maori surfacemen, em- ' ployed in the district, was the next i witness. “I am a Government man and constable; Mr. Cooney is my boss.” he replied amidst laughter, as he detailed his occupation. Witness testified to sales and movements of cattle. “Is this gentleman the local clergyman down there, too?” queried his Honour, referring to witness, who said he presided over church gatherings. Mr. Gillies: Apparently there is some indication of it. j The case is proceeding.