COWS SHOT

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1929, Page 2

COWS SHOT

CONVICTIONS AT REEFTON. (Our Own Correspondent.) REEETON, September 28. At the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., James McKendry, Leslie James McKendry, Robert Smith, and William Keith McElwee were charged that on August 25, at Inangahua Junction, they did shoot and kill two cows, valued at £3O, the property of Arthur WVallace Bell. Mr Morgan represented accused, who* elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded “Not guilty.” Arthur Wallace Bell stated that he was the owner of 700 acres under pastoral license and had stock running on it. On September 1 he went on to this land to look for two cows. He found the beasts dead; they had been shot. They were lying in the open ; the carcases were covered by scrub and fern. The two cows were due to calve and valued at £l5 each, both being Jerseys. William J. Provis, labourer, residing at Inangahua Junction, said that on August 25 he was asked by Thomas Arnold to take the four defendants out shooting. They went on Mr Bell’s property and did not see any deer. They had some target practice. They did not see any cows, and used a dry tree for a target at a range of 600 or 700 yards. After the target practice on the way they found the cows wounded. Three of the party, McElwee, McKendry and Smith, had guns. When ‘ they found the animals were wounded they went up and finished them. They all 'took part in covering them up. Witness couuld tell by the look of the animals whose they were. They belonged to Mi' Bell. To Mr Morgan: The party told me to tell Mr Bell and that they were prepared to pay for them. To Sergt. Fryer: On my way home I saw Mr Bell. He was talking to some one. The whole party could have spoken to him. Constable Surgeouer, giving evidence, stated he interviewed Smith, who denied shooting any stock. Later witness interviewed McElwee, who stated he was with the party and denied shooting any stock. James McKendry stated the stock were accidentally shot, but he had nothing to do with the shooting. Leslie McKendry, when spoken to made a statement. Janies McKendry made a truthful statement. , , Leslie Jas. McKendry stated that the party w-as firing at a dead tree at GOO yards range. Provis had told them there were wild cattle. They decided to come back that way home. On examination they found two beasts badly wounded. They decided, to finish them off. To Sbrgeant Fryer: I heard that the police w’ere making enquiries, and then I came up to and saw Mr Bell as I did not want any proceeding to take place. Jas. McKendry senr, stated that he was out in company with the party and went around the pahiki and did not see any stock. He sat down and was guessing the distance to a tree some GOO yards away. Witness thought he saw a beast moving and finally found a cow badly wounded. They destroyed it and then found another. They had to destroy them both.

The Magistrate said that he considered the party were out deer stalking, not seeing any animal and started shooting at a tree. They saw two cows which were fired at. They did not trouble to examine the beasts before shooting at them. Each was ordered to pay one quarter of the costs of the cows £3O and would be fined £5 and witnesses’ expenses.

An order for suppressing the names of the offenders was refused.