ALLEGED SHEEPSTEALING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15111, 29 October 1914, Page 2

ALLEGED SHEEPSTEALING.

A SPIiINGSTOX CASE,

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

Before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court 3-esterday, James Gashcn was charged with stealing at Springston, on October sth last, two sheep, valued at £1 19s, the property of W. C. Dick.

Mr J. A.-Cassidy appeared for tho accused.

Donald Muir, stock agent for tho Farmers' Co-op: at Springston, and in charge of the yards there, remembered a sale taking place at Spnngston on October oth, when he bought 32 sheep for W. C. Dick, butcher, at Lincoln. Ho removed the 6heep frcim the saleyard to tho far end of the yards away from the entrance, and left them there overnight.' The gate was eecur.ely fastened. The accused-was'at the saleyards that day. At the time- witness saw him he had a horse and trap, which he left at the back of the yards. When witness left the yards at 5.45 in the evening, accused's trap was still there, something witness had heard he went to the yards tne next morning and counted the sheep. Only thirty were there. The gates were still fastened. "Witness later found the two missing sheep in tho race outside of tho pen, where the other sheep were. These two were tho best sheep in the mob. Somo days later witness saw tho accused on tho main road at Sprlngston. Then he passed a remark about having got into a row over something which he did not mention. Witness replied, ''They will settle with you at the office." Thomas Heiishall, builder, residing at Papanui, saidrthat since September Ist he had been engaged, with two men named 'Harris an' >*-.nnibal, in building a house for I\!Ti Aiuir at the saleyards. On tho night in question, witness and his companions slept in premises alongside ' the yards. About 11.30 that night he heard a noise made by a horse and trap moving up the right-of-way. On looking out of the window ho saw a man chasing two sheep in the yard. Ho caught one of thorn and placed it in the trap. Witness then opened t;:e door and spoke to a map. In reply, the man said, "I bought this sheep." After further questioning, he took it out of the trap and- put it back. Witness then passed a remark that he should have como for his eheen in the daylight. It- was a moonlight night, and the man he spoke to then he recognised as Gashen. The accused got into his trap .and drove away. On the evening of the 16th, the accused called at the place where they weie staying, and spoko in abusive terms of the' person who had opened the door.on the night of the sth, and threatened to "tear the heart" out of any man who gave evidence against him. John Harris and Henry J. Hanniba! also gave evidence. Accused reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed.