Extraordinary Cattle-Stealing Case.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 3 May 1888, Page 2

Extraordinary Cattle-Stealing Case.

(Per Press Association.) Invercargill, May 2. Sophia Kidd was brought up at the Police Court to-day, on a charge of alleged cattle stealing. i’lio case for the prosecution was concluded, and (ho examination adjourned for the evidence for do defence, which will be an attempt 'o proro an alabi and mistaken identity. The evtdence to-day showed that a settler at Forest Hill named Boss, whose land adjoins that of accused, missed all bis cattle except ono too heavy to travel : that on that day a horse-woman dressed in widow’s weeds drove these cattle into Mataura Bridge, 16 miles off, who’ e an auction sale was going on. b'he represented she was Mrs Allan, from Forirose,' about 30 miles to the southward: that her iiusband was ill, and she had been compelled to bring the cattle herself; that she wanted them sold at once, without reserve, and the money paid, as sho had a liaby at home. In accordance with instructions, this was done, and a cheque for the amount realised given to her. Witness had no doubt that accused was the woman. A woman was scon driving the stock .from the direction of Forest Hill, and the same "man afterwards s.w her returning that way, and having beard at the sale that the'woman was from Forirose, lie passed a remark to her that she was not on the eoad. The most damaging part of the evidence i was that of two clerks in the Colonial Bank, Invercargill, wlio deposed that accused, four days la'er. cashed a cheque given for cattle, and signed it “ Martha Allan,” These witnesses were certain as to her identity, and had seen her frequently in agricultural' show rings, where she has for years liela - tlie premier position as a horsewoman. The prosecution created great interest, th-; accused being so well known. Her broilier was recently before the court on a charge of alleged sheep stealing,.but the case Wu< dismissed.

La'er, Sophia Kidd was committed for trial at the Supreme Court o i a charge of stealing cattle. She has bom admitted to bail. Evidence taken for the defence today was positive on the point that accused was driving a reaper On her mother’s farm on the afternoon of the day on which it was alleged that she wa.in Mataura Bridge, 20 miles away, sc 1ing cattle, and which place she is s.id to have left late iu the day. One of the wit nesses said he could not be mistaken, as he tilted for the machine, and sat beside her all the afternoon. The date was fixed in the minds of witnesses by the fact that ther e was a side on an adj fining farm that day, aad accused’s brother was at itfaud brought home seine sheep.