POLICE COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2582, 29 January 1889, Page 2

POLICE COURT, TE AWAMUTU.

Svri'KDAY.—(Before Messrs Mandeno and Rochfort, J.P.'.s). AIJ.EOEIJ CATTLK-STHAMNCi.

Thomas Bakkr was charged on the information of llan»itn:itt'ii, of Waiaruhe, Puniu, with having on the 11th December, ISSB, stolen one cow, valued at £t 15s, the property of informant. Constible Jones prosecuted. Kuitrituatea. sworn, deposed to tho cow in question being his property, and that he identified it by the ear-mark and brand, and also by the general appearance. Witness' cattlo were running together with Mr Grace's cattle. Both used tho same brand, but their ear-marks wero different. By the Court: The cow was running at witness' kainga, where he had left her. Could not say exactly when she was misled.

W. H. Grace, native agent, deposed that he and the last witness had c ittle running together, and that both used the same brand, but the ear-marks were different. The cow in question is a calf of one of the cow.s he gave Kangi. He identified the cow as being the property of Kangituatea by the hnnd and ear-mark?. Hori Ohomairangi deposed that he knew the cow. *aw the accused driving the cow to the s.vdeat Ohanpo. W. J. lluntor gave evidence as to the sale of the cow by him, and produced his books showing the transaction. William Cowley, sworn, deposed to having purchased the cow, and that Purangi identified it as belonging to his brother. Constable Lowther gave evidence at length. The accused said that he sold the cow for Mr Kay, who told him that if he saw any of his cattle running in the Maori country he was to sell them for him. He recognised Mr Kay's earmark. The natives helped him to drive tho hnifer into Mr Tole's paddock. ]Iβ sold the cow at Ohaupo in his own name, and told Mr Kay what he had done. . ~

Andrew Kny sworn, said, he. belie.vnd tho cow was his before 11th J)ecetnlier. Believed her to be his by the earmark, as it is exactly the same. Did not see the brand that morning, but saw the ear mark. Accused was in the habit of selling cattle for witness and briiisinsr the proceeds home. Baker had authority to takn all cattle off the run hearing witness' oar mark. (Jould only account for the brand on the cow by inferring that when the nalive.-i lost sonie'eattle some two and ahalf years ago, and they were found at Oriika.ii, une nf witness' cattlo was inadvertently taken back and branded with Mill race's brand.

W. J. Hunter recalled snid, that ho had sold cattle for Baker, sumo in Mr Kay's name and some in his own, and for which Baker had been paid. The accused was committed to take his trial at tho next sitting <>f the Supreme Court. Bad was allowed in two sureties of £50 unci), and accused in £100.