ALLEGED SHEEP-STEALING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 154, 15 June 1932, Page 5

ALLEGED SHEEP-STEALING

CASE AT WAIPUKURAU. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL (Special Representative.) At the Magistrate’s Court at Waipukurau yesterday, before Messrs W. A. Chambers and B. J. McCormick, J.P.’s, George Edward Smith appeared to answer charges of sheep-stealing. Detective D. Farquharson conducted the prosecution. It was alleged that accused, whilst taking a mob of sheep through Porangahau, had picked up a number of stray sheep which he had turned out on the river bed instead of returning to their rightful owners. Lengthy evidence was given by several witnesses, the case occupying the whole morning. The accused, in his evidence, maintained that the stray sheep had got into his mob on account of the fences in the district, through which he had driven the mob, being in such a bad state of repair. He contended that he had turned the sheep on to the river at the back of his house, so that they eould get feed and would not starve. He said his action was not prompted by any ulterior motives.

Accused was subsequently committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Napier. Bail was fixed at self £lOO, and one surety of £lOO or two of £5O.