THE SHEEP - STEALING CHARGES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 3037, 5 June 1895, Page 2

THE SHEEP - STEALING CHARGES.

TO-DAY'S fBOOEEDINGS.

Before 1 Mesßrs H. W. Brabant, S.M.. and J. Heslop and W. E. Dive, J'e.P. The bearing of tbe charges agaioet Frederick Fobrmann, Rudolph Lnbnahofifti, and Frank Lukushoski. was commenced at the Courthouse tbis afternoon.

The first case was against Frederiok Fohrmann and Rudolph Lukushoskii who were charged with stealing 250 sheep, the property of J. G. Wilson, oi Bulls. Mr Barton for prosecution j Mr Wiseman (instructed by Mr Samuel) for accused.

Mr Barton outlined the case for the prosecution, and called Jantes Glenny Wilson, sheepfarmer, Bulls, who stated — I have a farm in the Mount fftpwart distriot, and in May but had Borne' >; sbeip tbere. On tbe 15th I missed tbe^sbeep. The sheep were fat and fattening ftftfep, and were under offectewC^ Mr Gillies, buyer for tbe Gear Company. ~ He intimated to me tbat he would go and ccc the sheep on the morning of 15th May. I had about January put into the paddock.about 430. I bad misßed some previously. Isent my son with Mr Gillies. Before the 15th I bad not made a count of the- sheep. From wbat I heard from my son I went down and found tbat there weretbnly 40 in the paddock. I had given bo one authority' to remove the sheep. Oft/the 14th there was a sale by Meiirs Gorton and Sons at Bulls. I did not sell any sheep that day, and have not sold any for the past eighteen months or two years. Since shearing I have sold " 1000 wetnef tii but - so ewes or lambs. Tbe chap under offer to Mr Gillies ware ewes, andt perhaps 20 wethers and a' dozen or so' lambs. I have since seen part of tbe sheep in Enkaramea. I oame to Kakaramea on the Saturday following the day tbe sheep were missed-; that wonld be tbe 18th. I met tho constable at Kakaramea, and he showed me the sheep in a paddock near tbe hotel. I identified them by the earmark. (.Witness made a drawing of tbe earmark on tbe deposition.] The marks are high np or low down on the ear according to tbe age of the sheep. IWitness also made a drawing of brands.] The brands was in red or blaok. I use red on ewes not for breeding. The sheep., at Eakaratnea were in muoh the same condition as mine,though they were knocked about by travelling. Oroßß-eißmined— The paddock in wbicb tbe sheep wore at^Bnlls was near a road. It was very well fenced, and I bad tent a man to ccc tirftnee a few days before I missed tbe sheep. On 15th May, tbe sheep were mustered, and only 40 or 50 we're tbere. Tbe pad* dock is about 160 acres, all clear land, it was not probable the gate would be left open, aa I have a man living near tbere to see thai it is not left open. Of course it is possible it might be left open at times. I went to Kakaramea on receipt of word from the police. Re-examined— l last saw tbe sheep in tbe paddock on April 26th . Herbert fames Baker, stationmaster , Greatford, stated— On the 14th May Mr Buxton {telegraphed to me that a Mr Williams had OBdenad six trucks for the 15th for the §2r a.m. train. They were to be loaded for Kakaramea. 1) was awakened about 6 a.m. on 16ih by the jbumping of waggons. I came out ab'put7.Bo; and I found tbat only five had men loaded. I met Mr Williams near the waggons, and said he must bs,ye made an early start. I have seen Mr Williams since. He is now in Court. [Witness pointed ont Fohrmann as Mr WiUiamr,{ I said "You must have had awiitanoe," and he said tbat two had helped him, and had returned to Bulls after the sheep were loaded. Greatford is, I thfpk, three to tbree^jnd a-half miles by road from Bulls. Williams oame to tbe bjjiae and consigned tne §boep to Kakaram3a t My* ing freight mtiah, I Baw Willpuni jjit on tbe train arlooja as the sheep We oi. Cross- examined.-^!* was just preaking\ day when I was awakened by tbe trucks bumping. Williams and I were 'together some 25 minutes shifting tbe tracts. To the Court.— l am 'vatisfied the .. aocused Fobrmann is the man 'WillianuL^H i (The cane was proceeding wben we welt^ } to press.)