A SHEEP JUDGING SCANDAL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1612, 21 January 1903, Page 64

A SHEEP JUDGING SCANDAL

The case against William McNabb, Laurence Henry Rash, and John Rash, who are charged with having conspired and agreed together to cheat and defraud the Numurkah (Victoria) Agricultural and Pastoral Association and other similar associations holding agricultural shows in the State and offering prizes for sheep to be competed for, and to fraudulently acquire to themselves such prizes was concluded at the City Court before Mr Panton, P.M., on 18th December. Patrick McManamny. sergeant of police, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department, Melbourne, said that he knew the three accused. He had interviewed L. H. Rash on 17th November at Morwell Station. Witness said to him, “Is your name Rash ?” He replied, “Yes.” Witness then said, ‘T am McManamny,. the detective. I am making some inquiries about certain sheep exhibited at Numurkah on 15th ult. in the name of Rash Bros/” Rash replied, “Yes they were ours.” Witness said, “What'do you mean?” and Rash replied, “They belong tot my brother and I/’ Witness then took Rash into the waitingroom. where the latter made a statement. Witness asked Rash questions, and put down his answers in, a pocket book. He then read the entries over to Rash, who initialled each page. Witness produced the book. Mr Schutt here read McNabb’s statement, which was as follows: I am a grazier at Morwell, where I reside. My land comprises over 4000 acres. I was judging the sheep and pigs at Numurkah show, held on 15th October. I awarded several prizes, “Ist, 2nd. 3rd and champion,” to sheep exhibited by Rash Bros., of Morwell. I could not say exactly how many sheep they exhibited, but I think between 30 and 40. I have known Rash Bros- about two years, and they have been renting about 150 acres from me. They pay at the rate of iB6O or =£7o a year rent, made up as follows: —They work for me when I require them. I pay L. H. Rash 15s and J. Rash 10s per week. They attend to their sheep, about 60 in number, when I do not want their services. They bought a good many sheep at the sheep sales in Melbourne held by Powers, Rutherford. I could not say exactly how much they gave for the sheep. I believe it was over <£loo. I am showing sheep to-day at Kyneton, and I have also some for sale. Out of the number of sheep I have here (Kyneton) three or four did belong to Rash Bros. I purchased them with about 16 other sheep—in all making about 20—for £4O, and I paid four £lO notes to John Rash at Brown’s Hotel, Numurkah. They gave me a receipt, which I, have in my possession. When Rash Bros, came to Morwell they had money, though I cannot say how much. I was present at Rutherford’s sale when John Rush purchased the sheep. He asked me for my opinion of the sheep. I really selected them for him. The Rash Bros, did not have sufficient money to pay the purchase money," so I guaranteed .Powers, Rutherford. I gave them a bill signed by me, “W. and S. McNabb,” and that bill or promissory note has been honoured. Rash Bros, gave the money to meet the bill. They also exhibited other sheep at Numurkah beside® those they bought at Powers, Rutherford’s. They purchased them from me, and paid cash. This would be about twelve or fifteen months back. At that time they bought 25 sheep from me for about £lO or £l2. This amount was owing to them as wages. L. H. Rash has been with us for about two years; the other brother, John, for about six months. The paddock they rent they call “Glenrowan Park,” and this park is known to Macmillan and: others in the neighbourhood. After the show at Numurkah, I purchased about twenty sheep-, as already stated, and exhibited them at Bacchus Marsh, and I also bought other sheep at Bacchus Marsh. I paid for the trucks; also fares for self and J. Rash to Numurkah show; also cartage from Bacchus Marsh to Hazelwood. The only sheep allowed to graze, on Rash’s rented paddock are their own, and I should say they have about 50 or 60 sheep at the present time. I intend to deduct the cost of cartage, etc., out of Rash Bros/ wages. I first came to know them in Melbourne. They wanted to go into the country, and I gave them employment. They started getting a few sheep of their own. and now they are breeding sheep. I cannot say whether they have any banking account, but I think I am in debt to them about £2O or_ £3O regarding all our business transactions. I remember a declaration was received by Rash Bros, and L. H. Rash told me he signed it for the secretary of the Numurkah show. I wish to add I made a declaration before Mr D. Connors, J.P., Warragul, and it

was written out by J. Rash in my presence, and I signed it for J. Rash. The entry forms were also written out by J. Rash. I see the five documents shown to me; two are in my • handwriting; the others in J. Rash’s handwriting. Detective McManamny then drew my attention to the similarity of the handwriting, and said that there was no doubt that whoever -wrote one wrote all. I then said: “I wish to correct my previous statement regarding the declaration and entry forms. They are in my handwriting; also the five letters, some signed ‘Rash Bros.’ ” Referring to that part of my statement that Rash Bros, owned sheep, or ever did own any sheep gin my paddocks, I also wish to correct it. and now state that they do not. I and my brother own all the sheep. The sheep shown at Numurkah were our property, and not Rash Bros.’ or Rash’s. I was also well aware that, when the youth L. H. Rash made the declaration that he and his brother owned the sheep shown in the name of Rash Bros, at Numurkah it was not correct, but I allowed him to do go; in fact, I told him to do it, as I thought it would settle the trouble regarding the' paying over of the prizes. The only transactions between Rash Bros, and myself and brother are that they are purely and simply in our employ as servants. I heard the statement rtead over to me; it is correct.—(Signed) William McNabb 20th November, 1302. This closed the case for the Crown. All three accused were then committed to take their trial at the Supreme Court on 18th February next. After some argument, hail was fixed, one surety of £SO each the Rash brothers, and one of £2OO McNabb. Mr H. W. Pearson bailed out the lads, and Mr Peck went surety for McNabb.