RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, LAWRENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 263, 13 February 1873, Page 5

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, LAWRENCE.

(Before Vincent Pyke, Esq., E.M.) Friday, Febbuary, 7. John Tighe, sou\, and John Tighe, junr. — father and eon, the latter about fifteen years of age — wore charged with ste.iling a lamb, the property of Cable and C». Inspector Thompson prosecuted, and Mr. Copland appeared for the prisoners, who pleaded " Not Gruilty." Thomas Aitken, bushmm. knew the prisoners, who are bullock* drivers, and live in a but in the Waipori bush. On the 25th instant, he was passing tho but, and saw Tisjbe dressing the liver of a sheep or a Limb. He saw a good portion of a carcase; also an unskinood ifiinVa head at liia feet. Witness said, "What's this your doinj:?" and the j older piisouer asked him to have a, piece of tlie carcase,, but; he refused. Tho younger prisoner was not there. Went \\yUi the hut and had some tea. The younger Tisjhe arrived about three minutes afterwards. Tho meat waa-. hansring to a tree. Later in the day went in company with Mr. Tovilt to the hut. If either of the prisonerswere there. They looked about for the akin, but could not fiud it. Ia cross-examination, nothing of importance was elicited. Edward Tbvill, a carpcuter, resident at Waipori, s.iid he saw the fore- part of a newly killed iamb near the hut of" prisoners. The entrails were clos«? at hand, in a gully, covered over with bush, fifteen or twenty yards away. A«"chiball Staruiwuy, atep-son of the* elder prisoner, was called, but as he professed ignorance of the nature and obligation* of an oath v his evidence was not taken. Joseph Moore, traimujpr far Cable and Co., stated that on the night of the 3,ofch January,, ia company" witU Conatable Boyd, he saw the fore part of a lamb attached to a tree, about fifty or sixty yard* fronv prisoners' but. Saw the entrails in. a gully. He could not find the skin, although a search was made for it. He returned on the 31sfc, axul upon searching again, he succeeded in ftndiu«» a skin with thohead attached. (Skin produced). Witness identified it by the ear mark. It was found in the bush, about ten or twelve yards from the hut, in a water hole. There was a good deal of scrub about the hole. Handed the skin ta Constable- Bbyd. Cross-examined — Lambs are never branded till they are weaned. Theear mark is put on when the lambs arecut. Ou the skin appeared marks aa of bites. Constable Boyd said on the 30thJanuary he met tfie elder prisoner about a quarter of a mile from Waipori carrying a bag. Asked him what he was carrying. He said a off bit mutton,, and stated he got it near Waipori bush, lying on the- ground, as it tbea stood. The elder prisoner also said be believed Aitken bad put that portion of the lamb there purposely. On themorning of the 31st January prisonersaid he saw bis dog worrying a lot of sheep, and finally run down- a lamb, and guessing that it would not havelived, he cut its throat, as it would have been a pity to albw the- lamb* to go to wa«sto. Witness here repeated the evidence of Joseph Moore-, regarding the visit to prisoners' hut. Beceived the skin from Moore, as produced. ■ The younger prisoner said heknew nothing about the matter, as he had not been at the hut since early in the morning. He (the- youngerprisoner^ afterwards said, he was there, and had a drink of tea. (A written? statement handed k>to the Court.) Cross-examined. — Some of the ra;irkß»on the skit) appeared like dogbites. Mi\ Copland having addressed th* Con rt v His Worship- said- the case bad' beets clearly proved against the elder prisonerupon whom he would inflict a sentenceof three months imprisonment,, with hard labor, in- Lawrence g-aok Theyounger prisoner would be- -discharged. Samuel Wootton, for- permitting a? horse to stray in the street, was fined 2s. 6d. with. 6s. 6U eosbs.

The case- against James "White forvpermitting a cow- to. stray iv- the streets was dismissed, as from the- evidence o£ the informing constable^, it appeared theanimal was on- private property at the-time-ths alleged trespass- on- the street^ was committed. ~ Citrregk v.. M'DoweiV.—TSo aj>pearanee-. i John Houghan's application for a^ j bagatelle license was-graatedL