R. M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2582, 26 April 1887, Page 2

R. M. COURT.

MASTEETON-MONDAY,

(Before S. Vox Siurmer, R.M.,) A Youthful Delinquent.

Robert Maguiro, a lad about fifteen years of age, was charged, on the illformation of deteotive McGrath, with breaking into tho woolshed of Mr W. Lowes, Te Ore Ore, and stealing 2SO rabbit slcins, valued at 13. Mr Board appoared for tho defence. ' " From tho evidonce of Frederick Lowes, who stated that lie worked on his lather's farm at Te Ore Ore; it appears the accused was seen about the farm on Sunday, the 17th, in company with his younger brother. They then raid they were going to pick up son; a poisoned rabbit skins about the pkoe. There were about 1500 skins al this tiuio looked up in a shed on the firm, and it was near'this place that witness mot the lads. On the following Wednesday the lock of the door was found to have been forced, and a number of skins were ■missed. Tho witness heard accused say that ho had taken, four bundles of rabbit skins from the shed and sold them at Messrs Caselberg k Co/s. Ho also heard the younger brother say that accused had been in the shed, but did not see him tako anything away, "By Mr Beard The skins belonged to me., Gaye accused permission;' to pick up some poisoned sldns. On 6ne occasion gayehim about 3'dozen dry sldns, Did not jit first ' suspect accused. The lads said they, hid the skins in some flax as they were afraid to take them home. Did not hear the

detective tell the accused that he had better make a clean breast of the affair and he would get off lightly. Alexander Maguire, 10 years of age, brother of accused, stated that oil the Sunday in question they went out to Mr Lowes place and got 18 skins on the hills. Saw his brother go round to the back of the shed, but could not say if he went inside. He was away about five minutes and returned with something in a sack, but did not say wliiit it was. When they got home he found there were three or four bundles of rabbit skins in the. sack,..which were planted in a flax bush near their, father's house. He did not know who removed them since.

William Cameron, blacksmith, deposed to seeing the accused and his brother returning from the direction of Mr Lowes' place on the Sunday iu question with a sack .slung across a horses' back, partly filled with something. Jacob Bamber, storeman, at Messrs M. Caselberg and Co.'s stated that on the 18th he purchased 7 lbs of skins from accused, and 201bs on tho 20th mst., he had often bought skins from, accused.

Detective'McGrath gave evidence as to the arrest of accused, who' adnrittedhaving taken the skins'and sold them for eight shillings which he spent in buying clothes with. He had only been able to trace the' 271b sold to Messrs M. Caselberg and Co. . Mr Beard on behalf of accused submitted that there was no direct evidence of the theft. There had been 280 skins stolen and only about 162 could be traced. He contended that tho incriminating evidence of the younger brother should be accepted with caution and aslcod the consideration of the Bench, owing to tho age of " accused. His Worship said he considered a pviiiui, facie case had been made out and dealt with it under the 177 th section of the section of the Justice of Peace Act, sentencing accused to one month's imprisonment.