STOLEN SOULTORIA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 20, 24 July 1912, Page 3

STOLEN SOULTORIA.

Accused Committed for Trial Pleads Not Guilty. There was a big attendance at the Magistrate's Court, Pukekohe. on Thursday, to hear evidence aga''ist Patrick McManeoiio, aga :r st whom it was charged that on or about June 25th, at Pukekohe, he did steal the nejag mare Soultoria, of the value of £IOOO, the property of the ti astees <*i the estate of the late James Rov'ston Mr Marsack conducted the case for the prosecution; Mr F. Earl appeared for the accused, and Mr Campbell witched the case on behalf of the owners. The story of Soultoria's disappearance, the eager hunt for her, and of liar recovery need not be repeated; the mare herself, as she was wafted about the Courthouse grounds, was the natural object of much attention. Efidence was led to show that the gare was securely stabled on Tuesday. Jane 25th, and the next morning tracks showed she had been taken across paddocks and through several gates to the highway. William Townsend, employed ut Belmont farm, : aid ho saw the accused in Pukekohe about a fortnight before goultoria was taken. Archibald Douglas was chaffcutting at midnight of June 25th and afterwards went on the traction eng'io towards Bombay. At 1.20 a.m. he gaw a man whom he believed to he the accused, riding one horse and leading goother, coming from Pukekohe. It ir aamoonlight and the man was rid : cg a horse that he believed to be Soi '- tgiia. Could not swea- posi vely t.. the man or to the horseMichael Albert Park (butcher at \Hfhatawhata) said he met accused on June 26th (while riding from his home to Ngaruawahia) on the road with two muddy horses, one of which wa-> goultoria. He recognised the mare then although he had not heard ' 'iat ,he bad been stolen. f. J. Kemptboiae, a 15-year-old hoy, also said he saw and recogr ; sed goultoria in the possession of accused _yt Whatawhata on June 26th. W Archibald Ferguson (farmt.- at 'Whatawhata), J. Clarkiu (groom in charge of hotel at A. E. Harris (labourer at Piroug.a; a'so deposed t/> hnv ; r._- °en the acci'si 1 v Lth the liors< ■ r, n -) |inP - 6tn - Soultoria was fouud witbiu five or ei.v iinl.- of aicu.-e-!'.- place. She was Edw..rd 'fry and Samuel of le K iu iinoa. It wn- * plained that accused had he* >i i ientiiiud by iour witnesses out of a group of five others. Accused pleaded not guilty, and roaerved his defence. He was committed to Auckland Supreme Court for ti Inl Bail was allowed in two sure >l £IOO each, and a persoinl surety >'. &QO.