A SERIOUS CHARGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9632, 12 April 1917, Page 6

A SERIOUS CHARGE

TWO YOUTHS IN TROUBLE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BLACK SHEEP? Two old sacks containing some rather odorous portions of a dead sheep, a rifle, a butcher’s knife, and a dead sheep’s head were, lined up in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday as evidence against two youths, William Southee and David John Southee, charged with sheep stealing at Akatarawa on March 31st last. Although it is alleged that the accused stoic only one sheep, sheepstealing is looked upon by the law as such a serious offence that depositions were merely ■ taken in the Magistrate s Court yesterday and accused committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Mr C. W. Nielson appeared on their behalf. Inspector Marsack represented tho police.

Francis YYhiteman, farmer of Akatarawa, related how he had three sheep on a clearing on his land at Akatarawa. One was a black sheep and the two others white- On March 30th last witness discovered that two of the sheep were missing. During the course of the search that followed witness came across what was apparently the skin and head of the missing black sheep. The head had imbedded in it a bullet. • Later, when witness and Constable McHolm were searching over the clearing they met the two accused. The elder accused carried a rifle. Each had a bag over his shoulder. Constable McHolm questioned them as to the contents of these bags. The elder accused replied that the hags contained hog. The younger accused was edging his way down tho hill, but Constable McHolm intercepted him. Questioned. he said the bag contained goat, adding that to him hog was goat and goat was hog. Accused were then told to open th» bags, which disclosed meat that was obviously mutton. One of tho accused then said lie would lead tho constable to where the skin of the goat was. They had proceeded some distance when it was divined that the accused' were leading them a dance. Constable MoHolm then told the accused to come with him. They had only proceeded a quarter of a mile when the Southees bolted and took to the bush. On account of the rough nature of the country they were unable to catch the runaways. It was then to watch the house where accused lived until they came home. It was not until 3 o’clock the following morning that witness and tho constable heard dogs barking and they knew that tho Southees had arrived. A careful search was made and accused were arrested in an outhouse. Thomas Carkeek, sawmill employee at Akatarawa, said that on March 2oth last he had seen the elder Southee walking along Whiteman's clearing. He was carrying a bag that showed blood stains,. and had a rifle in his hand.

Constable McHolm gave evidence similar to that given by Francis Whiteman.

Both accused pleaded not guilty and were committed to tho Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in £lO in respect to the younger accused and £2O in respect to the elder.