Alleged Sheep Stealing.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 231, 6 December 1888, Page 2

Alleged Sheep Stealing.

Ar the R.U Court yesterday, William John Moaeman was charged on the information of Ewen Cameron, with the larceny of two sheep, the property of Messrs Knowles and Fulford. Messrs J. Booth, R,M,, and 0. C. Luoas, J.P., were on the Bench. Mr DeLautour appeared for the informant, and Mr Brassey for the defence. John Herbert deposed that he was at present living at Messrs Knowlea and Pulford's, at Waerenga-a-kuri. Ha looked after tho stock at that place. They took the property over from him about the 7th June lust. No. 370. in Brand Register, was his brand. It had not been altered since Knowles and Pultord took possession of the stock. He recognised No. GO brand as that of accused. It wa- a fork out nf the tip of the ear, square at the bottom. Had seen the two sheep now in Court marked “ T ” on each aid. of the back. He put the brands on hims.lt; Messrs Cameron and Wall were present. Ha put them on himself some time last week and marked them in his own yard. He marked them because he saw part of his own ear mark and part of what Mr Mossman says is his wife's earmark, on them. Mr vfossman's was the one freshly done. The sheep in Court correspond in age with some of his own. Had his sheep in for shearing this year, and there were a few young ones short. By Mr Brassey: Remembered Mr Stubbs having some sheep up near bis place. He was informed yesterday by the accused that he had bought sheep from Mr Stubbs. He did not know that Mossman was accused of stealing the two sheep branded “T." Was present when the constable came .up. Accused then claimed the two sheep, which wera in his yard, and marked with the same earmark as the two marked by him with “ T,” as his property. Cross-examined by Mr DeLantour: The sheep in Court are like the sheep he marked ” T,” and they Lad traces of his ear mark. The new mark of Mossman'a was recent on the two. Yesterday he had all the accused', sheep in that be could find, and found about 25 marked in the same way as the twomarked “ T," with Mrs Mossman's earmark. H. H. Wall deposed that he had some land at Waerenga-a-kuri, adjoining Mr Herbert's on this side, which he occupied. Knew Mossman’s registered earmark, but he (Mossman) had been using another ear mark. At docking time he had noticed Mossmau mark, ing lambs with a different earmark to that registered by him—a front quarter on one ear and a back quarter on the other ear. Saw some sheep being marked, and could identify the two in Court. By Mr Brassey : The flocks would generally mix, especially at mus ering time. They always gave notice to the different owners that the sheep were mixed. Wa. not aware - that Mossman claimed the sheep. The sheep d were brought into Herbert’s yard on Baturday last aud branded. Mossman was not present when they were branded. Ewen Cameron: Was a sheepfarmer residing at Matawhero, and was manager for Messrs Knowles and Pulford. He estimated that he had about 350 lambs on the 7th June. The sheep were now branded with Herbert's o d ear mark. He was present at the farm on Saturday, in company with Messrs Wall and Herbert who were occupied in drafting the strangers’ sheep. He particularly noticed two sheep that had been lately shorn, and saw that the back “ fox ” on one of the ears had been obliterated quits recently by a “quarter” being put on the ear, which marks were quite fresh. He oould distinctly trace Herbert's old ear marks on the sheep. Had them shorn to the skin and paiuted red. Those were the two sheep in Court. Was at Mossmau'a on Tuesday when the sheep were mustered, and saw some of them with the slice and ear mark obliterated. He considered the -beep quite young, and they were the same class of hoggets that ha took delivery of from Herbert in June last. By Mr Brassey : He would not swear positively that they were th’same sheep he took possession of in June last. If the ear mark lad been on he could swear to the sheep. It was on the balance of the old ear mark that he was now swearing ownership. Ho flrat saw the two sheep on his run, and al tho time he took them away they were not in tho possession ot Mossman. He never saw Moss-

man ear mark any of the twenty five, but the accused claimed all the sheep with his mark on. Constable Riddle deposed that ho wont to the accused’s farm to search for some ahoep that had been stolen. On arrival at the farm he found the sheep mustered, and Oatnaron, who waa present, claimed two sheep, whioh ha took possession ot and brought into town. By Mr Brassey : Mossman also claimed thO sheep. He did not arrest tho accused -At the request of Mr Cameron, but on tho warrant that had been issued. Cross examined by Mr DaLautour; On hie arrest, Mossman said the sheep had hoea bought by his brother, at Ormond.

. In a lengthy address for the defence, Mr Brassey said that he considered that this was a most serious charge to lay, ao, had the accused bean proved guilty, he would have been liable to 14 yeara* penal aervitudo. Tho only possible information that oould bo laid in a case of thio sort waa for having defaced certain earmarks, or else to have oommencra a civil action. There waa not, he considered; evidence to prove that Moosman had tried 49 take any abeep, and he therefore thought the charge should be dismissed. Mr Booth said the identification had boon proved, and he would commit the accused to take hie trial at ttie next aittiug of the Supreme Court to be held in Gisborne. Bail wae wauied in SWQ end two ihhln M