THEFT OF A HORSE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 16 January 1912, Page 2

THEFT OF A HORSE.

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., William Woolley, alias Robinson, alias Robertson, a man of about 25 years of age, was charged -with stealing a horse at Waitara, the property of Arthur K. Lash, valued at £lO. Detective-Sergeant Boddam outlined the case, and called William Sullivan, a groom in the employ of Mr. Lash, of Waitara, who said that the first time he saw accused was on the afternoon of January 6, at the Club Hotel stables, when he asked for a job. He told him there was no vacancy. The next time he saw him was on the Bth January, at the stables. Accused said he had been haymaking for Messrs. Thornton and Goodirah, Waitara, and wanted to hire a horse to go and call for his money. He let accused have a horse. The next time he saw him was between. 5 and 6. the same day at Inglewood Hotel, and the pony was not then in his possession. The pony was brought to the Waitara sta-bles the following morning by William Pratt. He did not give anyone authority to sell the pony; the horse outside the court was the one referred to. Accused was to pay 2s for going about two miles. Arthur K. Lash, proprietor of the Club Hotel Livery Stables, Waitara, said the last witness was a groom in his employ, and the pony tied up outside the ■■ court was his property, which he valued at £lO. No one had authority to sell it. William Pratt, a native, farming at Kaupokopoko, near Bell Block, said on the Bth January he was at William Haskell's blacksmith's shop at Bell Block. He saw accused there riding a pony, which he offered for sale to Mr. Haskell for £5. The latter examined the pony and said it was worth £2 10s. Witness said to accused that he would give him £2 for it. Accused said he got thiei pony from Palmerston North. Witness said he thought it belonged to the Waitara stables, to which accused said that the stables never had a pony like it. Accused told witness that his name was William Elliott, and that he came from Urenui. Accused said he did not know Pepperell or Lash, of Waitara. Witness aaid to the accused that before he clinched the bargain, he was going to the telephone, atid while he was there accused remained on the horse. After a consultation on the telephone he bought the horse for £2 and got a receipt, and did not see accused again till that morning in court. Accused asked witness why he bought the horse when he knew it'belonged to the Waitara stables. Witness replied that he believed what he said when lie stated the pony canie from Palmerston. ami that his name was Elliott. He thought it was all right. Witness said the pony outside was liis. Thomas Fitzgibbon,' constable at Inglewood. said that on Monday last, in consequence -of a. telephone message received, he met the 4.20 train at Inglewood. The accused was on the train, and when he got off he went into the hotel. Witness went in and asked him his name, and he replied "Adams." Witness told him he wanted him for the theft of a horse.' and he said, "You are making a mistake." Just then Mr. Sullivan came in.and from what he told him. he arrested accused on the present charge, and he made no reply. When arrested accused had 5s fid on him. The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Auckland Supreme Court for sentence, „ ujjd , t .