Alleged Larceny of Skins.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4855, 19 October 1894, Page 3

Alleged Larceny of Skins.

Qks Me before the Oourt,

Charles Giirotn.whois woll-known in the Masterlon District, appeared boforo tho S.M. (Mr T. Hutchison), at Mastorton this morning,to answer a chnvgo of stealing from Langdalo Station, East Coast, tho property of Messrs Elder Bros., a bale of shcop skins valuod at £1 10s, on the Ist day of October, 189-1. Tho accused, who dofemlcil his own case, pleaded not guilty. Sergeant MeArdle stated tho case for tho prosecution, after which Thos. Muirhcad, called, stated that

he was a shepherd residing at Langdalo and remembered tho first week in October. Ho wns in tho habit of killing tho sheep required for tho household, tho skins of which he hung on the yard fence near the slaughter-yard, Also hung the skins of the sheep which died on the station on tho nearest fenco. Tho skins alleged to bo taken by tho accused were those which died on tho station ralW'cre placed along tho fence, four in ono place and three in another, which skins ho afterwards recognised ns those produced in Court as tho same taken from Langdalo station. Did not know the accused. Gave no person authority to remove the skins, which he valued at about thirty shillings. In answer to the accused the witness stated that though he valued the skins at thirty shillings he would not caro to give that price for them, as it depended upon the market value. The road near flic homestead wns in fair condition, though there

were several bogholes along the lines, which ho thought would he perfectly safe for wheel traffic either by night or day. The skins mentioned as hanging on the fence were in two places, three on the road fence, and four on a fence about twenty yards from the main fence. In answor to the Sergeant, (he witness said he considered the coaeli road at Mangapakeha was much in preference to the ISlnirlogic line, Austin A. Elder, called, said ho was part owner of Liuigdiile station, Did not know the accused. Identified one of the seven skins ns helonging to him, by the ear marks, and other three he recognised as those described by the shepherd at the time they died, as being three rams' skins. The shepherd had more knowledge of the skins in question than lie had himself. Gave no authority to cither the accused or any other person to remove the skins from the fence. 1 [ml missed several skins about six weeks previous to the removal of the skins in question. The witness, in answer to the acensed, said be could only recognise live skins, which be would roughly estimate at twenty-live shillings. Thomas C. Collier, wool-scourer, stated that ho knew tho accused, who came to him on the 10th October ina trap, which contained three bundles of sheep skins, which he would yalue at about £5 or £6. He had bought skins from licensed about a week previous. In conjunction with his son he examined the skins left by the accused, and noticed the blue mark upon thoin. The skins produced in Court were the same the police took from the bundle left at tho wool-works hy the accused. Accused wished to sell the skins to

him as his own,and when he brought them in the trap to tho house, early wiibn .morning, be (witness) told Bused to put them on the verandah HT call for tho money in the evening. Did not attach any importance to the fact that tho ears on the skins had been cut off, though it was not generally tho way he received them. John Jackson Johnson, police constable, stationedatWellington.statod that on the 17th of October he saw tho accused, whom he knew, coming out of a boarding house there, when he called him aside and informed him that a warrant was out for his arrest for stealing sheep-skins from a station in the Wairarapa, Was in plain clothes at the time. Charles Gurote, the accused, in answor to the Bench, said he wished to give evidence on his own behalf, and being sworn stated that the first week in October he wished to come to Masterton for provisions, andwns told that the road through Langdale was the best one to take. Returning again in the evening, by moonlight, his trap was capsized neat- the Langdale Station. His goods were thrown out to the road. On replacing the goods he took some skins which were on afence near by, with which he covered his goods. Hid not know the skins belonged to anyone. Whs in the habit of stripping dead and wild sheep of their skins. Tho wild sheep he killed were used for food. He went to Wellington aboutsomc land transaction, when lie was arrested for stealing the skins lie bad used to cover his goods. Did nofcliavoauy intention of stealing the skins and was willing to pay for those recognised by Mr Eldci, Examined by the Scrgcantat some . length the accused said he had no intention of stealing tho skins. He preferred to travel by night. The Magistrate, in summing up the facts of the case according to the evidence adduced, told the accused that there was no further evidence' to prove thut betook the skins with the exception of his own sworn statejjnent, The accused, according to a right to account for HHHHpM)f another being disHpa olfoy him, and no account had Mon given of the same to the owner of such property, He might also tell and warn tho accused, in rcferonce to his statement re the killing of wild sheep and the sale of skins thereof, that in the sight of the law, it was nothing more or less than theft, no matter whether tho sheep were straying on Government-land or not. The accused was thereforo guilty, and would bo convicted of theft, and Bentonced to two months' imprisonment, with hard labor, in the Wellington Terrace Gaol