A CATTLE CASE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 309, 5 November 1910, Page 5

A CATTLE CASE.

Charge Dismissed,

Before Mr F. O'B. Loughnan, yesterday, at Te Kuiti Magistrate's Court, Rewatu Hiriahio, of Mapiu, was charged with the theft of a black and white bullock, the property of Alfred Wiliiams. Constable Matthews prosecuted, and Mr E. 11. North-croft, of Hamilton, defended. James McGrath, of Aria, stated that in July last he bought li'J head of cattle from Rewatu, including the beast in question.- In cross-examina-tion he said he bought the stock quite openly and that, apparently Rewatu sold it in good faith. He said he had dealt, with Rewatu for some nine years, and always found him honest. Robert Wallace deposed that McGrath left the stock at his place, and in consequence of its bearing Riddle's brand and Wiliiams' ear-mark, he informed both about it.

Stevens Riddle stated (hat judging from his brand and ear-mark and his books he had sold the beast to Williams some three or four years ago. Alfred Williams stated that his property adjoined that of the accused and after purchasing his first lot of stock, about SO in number, was for a time no fence between the properties. He lost 17, which he thought had strayed on to Rewatu's and had sold the remainder. —ln cross-examination he admitted having a feeling of animosity towards Rewatu. He would not swear that he had ever seen this steer before. He considered it was one of those lost, but could not swear to the identity of those sold. H. Houghton also gave evidence as to the marks on the steer. —In-cross-examination he said he did not think Rewatu was a cattle thief. This closed the case for the Crown.

Mr Northcroft, before opening for the defence, asked the Court whether there was in fact any f.ase to answer. Mr Williams had not been able to prove that the steer had been stolen, nor even that it was his at all, as he might have sold it and Rewatu bought it from some purchaser. In any case it had not been proved that Rewatu had stolen the beast.

The Magistrate upheld this view, and dismissed the case without calling on the defence.