POLICE COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume xxx, Issue 2430, 7 February 1888, Page 2

POLICE COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

Friday.—(Before Mr H. W. Nortlicroft, R.M.) Ai.i,K(iKii Catti.b Stealing. — Thomas Baker was charged on the information of Hapeta, a native with having on or about 22nd December, stolen an ox the property of the informant valued at £4. Constable Lowther for the police. Frank R. Gibson, farmer, sworn, deposed that he was butchering in Te Awauiutu up to 31st December, 18S7. Knew the accused, bought a bullock (identified) from him. Gave £3 for it. When witness was buying the bullock the accused said the bullock belonged to William Puke for whom he was selling it. Bought the bullock at Orakau on 22nd December. Mr Tole claimed the bullock afterwards. —By the accused ! You sold me cattle before, I never found anything wrong with them. By tho Court. Gave the bullock up to Mr Tole when it was demanded, went and saw Baker about it, he said he could not do anything till lie saw Puke. Did not see Puke since, but saw accused several times, who said he had not seen William Puke who was away from home. The matter remains at that. William Puke, of Parawera, near Oraku, sworn, deposed that he knew the . bullock the subject of this case, identified the aniinid outside the Court as the one, he knew the brand. The bullock belongs to Hapetn. It has his brand, would know the beast even without the brand by its appearance and ear mark. Did not give accused or any other person authority to sell it. Had not authority from Hapeta to authorise anyone to sell the bullock. By the Court: It was certain he did not give accused authority to sell the Uullock on witnesses behalf or on behalf of any one else. Was at Parawera in December and till 12th January, when he left for Maketu. Was nine days at Maketu when he returned. Never received any money from accused on account of the sale of the bullock. Before the animal was sold it used to run at Puniu. There was nothing to prevent the animal wandering to Orakau or the accused's place. The distance would be about three and a half miles. Hapeta identified the bullock outside the Court as his property. Identified it by the brand and earmark. It was running at Puniu during the month of December. The day he came to the police was the day he heard that tho bullock had been taken by someone. Saw the bullock at Mr 'Pole's place afterwards, when it was running with other cattle. Told Mr Tole the bullock was his (witness). Showed the brand to Mr Tole in proof of his statement. It was a working bullock, and he tied it with a rope to show that it was in the presence of Mr Tole, who believed witnesses statement and then gave him the bullock. Never authorised accused or gave anyone any authority to sell the bullock.—By the Court: The beast hud been in witnesses possession for five years. He bred it and had it broken in. Witness was the sole owner of the animal, no one else had any interest in it. Paraone sworn, deposed, that he knew the informant's bullock. That was the one outside the court in the paddock. He and his brother broke the animal in, knew the bullock to belong to Hapeta, knew it by its geueral appearance. Believed Hapeta to be sole owner, never heard of anyone else having any claim to it, could not be mistaken in the animal. Constable Jones deposed tnat he arrested the accused on 27th Jauuary on the present charge. Tho accused made no remark when arrested, received the information on 25th January. After being cautioned in the usual way, accused in reply to the court said, he had witnesses, but did not think he would be committed for trial. Accused was committed for trial, bail being allowed in two sureties of £100 each, and prisoner's own recognizance of £200.