RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 107, 22 February 1873, Page 13

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Thursday, February 20. (Before J. C. Crawford, Esq., R.M.) SHEEPSTEADING. Charles Death was charged with having stolen eleven sheep from J. and H. Barber, and also with stealing three sheep from Peter Speedy, all the parties being sheep farmers at the Hutt. Mr J. G. Allan appeared on behalf of the accused. The Inspector of Police prosecuted. It having been agreed to proceed with the charges separately, that of stealing Speedy’s sheep was gone into. Peter Speedy deposed that on the 6th of the present month he missed some sheep, and went to prisoner’s place in search of them under the impression that they might have strayed away. . Saw prisoner, and told him he had come to see if any of the missing sheep had got amongst his flock. Asked him to muster his sheep. He promised to do so next day. On going the following day when the sheep were mustered, did not find any of the missing sheep amongst the mob. There were between 60 and 70 sheep altogether, but witness could not recognise his mark on any of them. Asked prisoner if these were all he had, and he said they were. Went and found a pen about 300 yards from the first one, and alongside of a furze hedge found eleven sheep with their legs tied and covered over with furze. Witness said, “There is something wrong here ; the sheep look like mine.” The prisoner came up and asked him what he was doing there, as the sheep did not belong to him. Witness said, “ Let us pull off the furze and examine them,” and at once commenced to do so. Witness, on examination, found that they resembled his sheep very much, but he missed his brand—a nick in the top of the ear—as he noticed the half of the ear was freshly cut away, some of them being bleeding then. Said to .prisoner, “These look like my sheep ; are they not ?” He denied it, and said “ They’re mine.” Afterwards, however, he confessed that the sheep belonged to witness, and that he had taken them. He professed to be sorry, and said he would pay for them. By Mr Allen : I sold prisoner ten sheep about a fortnight before that. I had not missed all the sheep. Prisoner did not tell me he had marked sheep by mistake. When the prisoner admitted the sheep were mine I partly agreed to let him have them ; but afterwards thinking I had done wrong I took them away. I had no knowledge of the existence of the second pen until the day before. I don’t think the second pen had been long made. The sheep were of all ages. I don’t brand my sheep. Some remarks being made by counsel about sheep straying, the Inspector of Police answered, “ Sheep don’t stray with their legs tied.” On the application of Mr Allan, both charges were remanded till Tuesday next.