ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1054, 27 March 1879, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Maboh 24, 1879. .Before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., R.M.) HORSE STEALING. Te Ropia, the native remanded on Saturday last, was again brought up this morning, charged, on the information of Const ble Neil McLeod, with stealing from Tuhikaramea one light chestnut gelding, valued at £ls, the property of Rawiri. Mr W. FT. Grace acted as interpreter. Te Rawiri, sworn, gave evidence to missing the horse and informing Constable McLeod of his loss. Had never authorised anyone to U6e or sell it. On the 20th, he saw his horse in the hands of the police. The horse now outside the Court he identified as his proneity. Mark Smith, manager to Messrs A. and J. Anderson, said the horse in question had been running for the last sixteen months on the. Messrs Andersons' property, Rawiri having permission to leave the animal there. Saw the prisoner at Tuhikaramea about two weeks ago, and shortly afterwards missed the horse. Have seen the prisoner there on two occasions.

To prisoner: The first time I saw you was the day after the native feast. I spoke to you about a dog. On seeing you the second time, no conversation took place. Detective Doolan gave evidence as to apprehending the prisoner at Cambridge with the horse in his possession. Prisoner, in his defence, said: It is true 1 caught that horse. I thought it was mine, the appearance of, my horse being exactly the same. My hoi*3e had no brands.

Sergeant MoGovern, who ably conducted the case on the part of the police, requested the Court to reserve its decision, as there were other charges against the prisoner. T'ne same prisoner was then charged with stealing from the person of Henry Gaddus Hunter, at Alexandra, one silver hunting watch, valued at £6. Prosecutor deposed: 1 am a laborer, employed on the railway wor s near Ohaupo. I was at Kinoh's Hotel, Alex andra, on March 17 in company with some natives and others. At night, I was tipsy, and walked down the street to Mr Assmus' Hotel, which was closed. I was alone, reeling unwell, I went and sat down in the yard, and fell asleep. I am positive I had the watch on me at that time. About break of day, I" was awakened by a native ta' ing my watch out of my outside coat pocket. I looiied up, and saw a native running away. I believe the prisoner to be the one who ran away. This is my watch (produced), and the receipt for it I gave to Constable McLeod.

Examined by prisoner: I believe it was you. Caanot say you hid on the omc clothes as now j they were dark olothes.

Syduey William Buck, sworn, said : E aua a barman, in the employ of Mr Rose, of ' amnridge, Prisoner came to the hotel on the lSfch. He hid a watch for sale, aud asked £3 for it. Seemg that the glass was broken, I thought it mi.ht be damaged. I gave 30s for it. This is the recoipt prisoner gave me for the watch. Hearing of the robbery of .Vlr Grac 's saddle and things at Alexandra. Ti> formed Deteuiive Doolan of my having purchased a watch, possibly of nhe thief. he prisoner is the man from wh'tn I pur-hwed the watch. Deteotiye Doolan gave evidence corroborative, as also did Constable MoLeod.

Prisoner said, I now will say something new: I was not wearing these clothes that morning, when I bought the things, but a white ooat and trousers, I borrowed from Dan, at Gilbert Ormsby's. I say this, because the prosecutor states, the man that ran away had ou dark clothes, like what I am now wearing. Judgment deferred,

Prisoner was then, agaiq. charged -with stealing the chestnut flUy, for which ho had been acquitted on Saturday, the police having fresh evidence to offer. Rawiri's evidence, the owner, has been already forwarded, and tho now evidence adduced was;

Mr John Allan, who deposed ; That, in the early part qf th,e mouth,, the prjsqner. came to sell me a horse. IJe asked me £lO for it. I did not make any offer for it. The mare outside is the one Ido not call it a chestnut, it had white hairs. To prisoner: lam sure it was you. After long examination, witness persisted in the'identity of prisoner, James Allen also gave cqiTotyorativq evidence.

Prisoner, in defence, said, he had mistaken, the horde for his own.

The Court committed prisoner for trial 1 on all charges. Other stolen property found on prisoner was returned to the owners, tho police declining to prosecute any further.