R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3315, 21 September 1889, Page 2

R.M. COURT.

MASTERTON-FRIDAY,

(Before Col Roberts, R.M.)

UKCENY AS A BAILEE,

David Menteath alias Brandon was charged with larceny as a bailee of a horse, saddle, and bridle, the property of William Neill, hired to him on December 30,1888. Mr Pownall appeared for informant, Roland Jaques stated on Hie last Sunday in December ho took a horse, with saddle and bridlo, to Argyle House to the order of accused, Had since seen them in tho custody of tho police. The horse, saddle, and bridle were of the value of £2O. Accused said lie was going to Blnirlogio, and would pay for the hire on his return, The first hoise taken to accused did not suit him,asho said ho wanted a good animal, as he intended returning the same day.

William Neill said accused came to him on .Saturday, 2i)th December last, and hired a horse, saddle, and bridle, lo go to Blairlogie, at'lSs for the day. Tho last witness, who was in his employ, gave accused delivery of the horse, which was a 2 >rey mare, down hipped. He never saw the horse or tho articles until six weeks ago, when he got them back through tho police.

Sanmel Minifio stated he knew accused, whom he met in the Forty Mile Bush, with a cream colored marc, hip down, somewhere about the 4th January last, Recognised the mare as Neill's. Hearing that the horso hud been offered for sale, he came down to Masterton and acquainted Mr Neill with the fao k .

Gross examined : January 4th was the date, as near as I can recollect. Thomas Gilbert, hotslkeeper, of Woodville, stated on January Ist, 1889, he bought from accused a mare, saddle, and bridlo for £4 10s, Baw the same in possession of (he police at Masterton today, Cross examined by accused : You did not tell me tho mare belonged to Neill. You told me you gave £9 for it and said it was sound. You saiil you had been wool pressing and had done with the horse, and pressed me very hard to buy it, I gavo you a cheque for £4, tho balance being for hoard, You gavo mo a receipt for £4 10s. (Receipt produced,) I never saw the cheque afterwards. Thore was no one else present when you wrote that receipt. I saw you write the receipt and sign it,

Accused said he had no more questions to ask, He would refer to a jury. After the usual caution had been read, accused said: All I wish to say is that I deny all knowledge of the sale being effected between Mr Gilbert and I. The handwriting on the receipt is not mine, I will reserve anything further for the jury. Ouo oi the witnesses I object to. He declared on oath that ho saw mo with the horse in the Bush on the 4th or sth

January, Accused was committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court on the 7th October,

Important Meeting at Alfredton.

A meeting of ratepayers was held on Friday afternoon at Alfrcdton to consider tho road question, and at last something definite i« to bo done, Mr W, M. Kebbell, chairman, opened by reading advertisement convening tho meeting, also the estimates of Mr Bromner, showing it would cost just over ,£IO,OOO to form the road to Mangamalioe on the Manawatu-Opaki Road to the junction of Tinui-Eketahuna Road, while to metal on the present formed road to Eketahuna would only cost a little over JC3OOO.

All present were unanimously in favor of tho road to Eketahuna being metalled, with tho exception of Mr Eli Smith, who appeared on behalf of tho Tawataia settlors. Mr Smith stated that at a meeting held tho previous evening the Tawataia people had decided to oppose any loan as they considered they wero now quite sufficiently taxed. It was proposed by Mr Bacon, seconded by Mr Holmes Warren, that the Wairarapa North County Council be asked, through Mr Von Reden, to define a rating urea, and steps bo at once taken to takoapoll,

A vote of thanks to the Chairman and visitors oonoludeJ the maeting,