MASTERTON MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4803, 18 August 1894, Page 3

MASTERTON MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Mock Trial.

The Masterton Wesleyan Schoolroom was crowded last evening on the occasion of the production by the Masterton Mutual Improvement Society of a ll Mock Trial." The casto of characters was as follows Judge, Mr Easthope; Clerk of Court, Mr J, Owen; Sergeant of Police, Mr T, U, Wellington ; Prosecutor, Mr A. Donald; prisoner, Mr L. Donald; Counsel for Prosecution, Mr J, Stewart; Counsol for Defence,Mr 0, Pragnell; witnesses for Prosecution, Miss Perry, and Messrs J. King, J, Johnson anil D, Brown; witnesses for Defence, Jli6s Williams, and Messrs Bowse, A. Burton, G. King, and Lily; Mr Rigg was foreman of the jury. The change preferred against tlx, accused was one of sheep-stealing The evidence for the prosecution went to show that accused had been employed on tho Anfield run. Boing under liotico to leave ho had left before the expiration of his notice. Shortly after the prosecutor missed about 1,000 sheep from a paddock. Having scoured tho run aud finding no trace of them, prosecutor is informed by a sundowner that he had seen accused driving a mob of sheep. Following up this information it is found that accused had sold 1,020 sheep by auction.

For tho defenco it was shewn that accused had bought several lots of shoe]) from small farmers in the vicinity of Auiicld, and these lie bad auctioned. /

Tho oross-oxamination of counsol, and the replies of witnesses were at times productive of much merriment, Tho evidence having closed, both counsel addressed the'jury, each, of course, claiming a victory for his side.

The Judge snmmed up and the jury retired, resuming in ijve minutes with a verdict of Not Guilty" The decisiqn was received with applause. The general get-up of somo of the characters deserve special mention, tho most noteworthy beingMessrsA, Donald, D, Brown, and J, Owen, Altogether the Society piust be congratulated on its display of talent, The Masterton Mutual Improvement Society have this winter givon five or six free entertainments and leoturcs to the public, but last night a collection was taken lip to defray expenses. The respo?i6o was exceedingly disappointing, although the

, building was crowded, A lot' of time J and trouble is expended by members in staging those entertaifiments, and it is a great pity that thoir efforts aro not bettor recognised,