TOKOMAIRIRO.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 20, 27 June 1868, Page 3

TOKOMAIRIRO.

(Fvom our own Correspondent). 25th June. Tokomairiro. is^ again all excitement. This time cattle stealing is the disturbing element.' This day, before J. Maitland, Esq., KM., John Porter, William Thorn-, son McCartney, and David Patton, we're brought up on. a charge of cattle stealing. Louis Weidner, sworn deposed — I am $ergeant of Police,.. stationed' at Tokomairiro. . J received information that prisoners had started south with a mob of cattle. Having- been -on the look out for j£h.e prisoners for some time pas.t, I followed them for the purpose of- examining the cattle they were 'driving. I met them pn the road beyond-the-Clutha. I sus-pected-the cattle, and found a- number of them to corresppnd in description withTa number of cattle lost by settlers in the Tokomairiro District, and I noticed' a number, had recently been branded, and a variety, of ear marks seemed to prevail. On the road following them I ascertained that prisoners had made different .statements as to the locality they were taking the cattle to. The-eattle had been driven without acquainting the Wardens of the Hundreds. ' I arrested the prisoners on suspicion, and took charge of the cattle, - -which numbered thirty-two head, and at present-on view in the police Paddock. " . Frederick Twiss .deposed that' he sold six. or seven head of those cattle to M v Cart* riey, about eighteen" months' ago. 3? also noticed one cow with a hole in centre of near ear, which Mr. Shaw sold to Patton. Sergeant Weidner asked for a remand until Monday riextpto give him time to I collect further evidence. The prisoners ' made no objections whatever ; David I Patton especially wished the matter to be thoroughly, sifted. r ) There is no. doubt whatever that very * • many reports Lave from time to time been lodged with the. police authorities., after cattle disappearing from the Hundreds, arid I arii 'satisfied, riot without a sufficient • reason ;- but as pet,- nothing whatever has come to light as to who the person or" persons* may be. ' Whether this ■ case will unkennel the real party- or parties, -is a , fnatter^feeculation at present. There , is a verynkrong fepling' Jiere that those charged with the crime are innocent. It is to be hoped 'the 'right parties will be found, whoever they may W. *