RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 1687, 30 May 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAY. (B«fore H. Goldsmith and T. Elgour, • E»q»., Ji.P.) HOB3E STEALING. Heta, a native, was charged with feloniously stealing a bay horse at Hikutaia on the 19th instant, the property of Robert Kelly.

Mr Bullen prosecuted on the part of the police. Mr Grace acted ai interpreter. Robert Kelly, sworn, said—l am a storekeeper at Hikutaia. I pack gum on horses from the bush'to Hikutaia. The horse outside the Court is my property, and i» pne I have vied for carrying gum.

The horse is not branded, but is wall* eyed on the left eye. lleft Hikutaia for Shortland last Thursday. When I left home the horse was feeding at my own door. I next saw the horse yesterday morning attached to a bus opposite Captain Butt's hotel. There were two horses harnessed to the bas. In consequence of what I heard I communicated with the police. I have seen the accused at Hikutaia. I never gave the accused permission to take the horse away. He had no authority to sell the horse. The .value of the horse to me is £10.

The accused declined asking any questions.

John ConncJl, sworn, deposed.—l keep a lmry stable in Grahamstown, also carriages for hire. I recognise the prisoner, he came to my stables yesterday between. 7 and 8 o'clock in the morning; he had two horses with him, the same two now outside the court. There waa a saddle and bridle on one, and a rope on the other. There was a boy in my stable who understood what t'je accused said. The accused speaks pretty good .Englsb. He wanted to sell the horses; he wanted £9 for the wall eyed horse. He told me the horse was a good one, and would work at a plough or a dray. He remained some time, when I offered him £2 for the bay horse, he took the money, and then wanted to sell the other horse, with saddle and bridle for £5. I made a bargain with him for the horse, saddle, and bridle for £2 10s. I paid him in all £4 10s. I asked hin where he came from, he replied Hikutaia Creek. He said he did not lire there, but at Puru, and wag employed in gum digging; but he was leaving and wanted to sell the horses. He went into my house, and had some breakfast I asked him if ho could write. He could not, and I asked Mr, James Macky to make one out, which the accused signed. The receipt produced is the one he signed I subsequently heard the horses were stolen, and afterwards gave, possession of them to Detective Brennan. I think I paid the accused a fair price for the horses.

The accused declined asking the witness any questions. James Macky, sworn, said—l am a coach-bmider, in Grahamgtown. Jfy premises are in. the same yard ai those of the last witness. I saw the acemed with two horses, saddle.and bridle in Connell's stable yesterday. Those are the aame horses outside the Court."Connell bought the horse from accused for £4 10 i. Connell asked nic to make out a receipt for the money, which I did, The accused signed it by a' mark. -

Detective Brennan, sworn, deposed— I arrested the accused- yesterday on s charge of horse stealing. I took him to the lock-up, when the charge wag interpreted to him by Mr Grace. I under, stood the/accused, to B ay he did not deny taking Kelly's hone. Two horses and a saddle were given over to me by the witness Connell. I found a sum of £2 4i lOd on the accused when I searched him. He was sober when arrested. On the application of Mr Bullen a remand was granted to the 6th June.

STBiXING A SAB^LE.

Heta, a native, was charged with stealing a saddle of the value of £B, the property of Haora Tareranui. Mr Bullen asked for a remand for a week.

Granted. Tb.9 same prisoner was further charged with stealing ahorse the property of ft native. . *

In this case Mr Bvllen asked for a remand fora week.

Granted.

DBTJNKBNBSS. William Harper was charged with being drunk m Pollen-street. Fined 10s and costs, or 24 hours. Court adjourned.