THEFT OF PIGS

Waipa Post, Volume 37, Issue 2236, 17 November 1928, Page 4

THEFT OF PIGS

TWO NATIVES FINED. INCIDENTS AT AROHENA. Two well-set-up young Maoris—one a thick-set married man named Robert Huia, of Arohena, and the other a half-caste named Edward \V right, amgif, with a conege euucation —werw'' brougnt butlore Messrs G. A. EmpsolrK and v\'. Swain, justices, at the local Court on Tuesday aiternqon, tne police unargmg both men with tne theft of two pigd, the property of the Union Bank of Australia, at Wharepapa, on or about 18th October.

Vv alter Woodward, farmer, Te Awamutu, saia that auout lota October he went to W narepapa with Mr Ridgweli, a neighbouring settler, to muster some piga, winch "i.e nneriued to remove cu nis " Cloverdale " property. They' mustered thirty pigs, ana two days later jctiolgweul secured lour more. 'l'iiey were penned, out next morning usci'ti wer'3 only 2y pigs, 'i'nere were distinct marks of someone having vis- ! iti-a tne pen. Two norsi-mai'iis were j I'yiibwed to Potter's Corner, and they ! tyox the turning to the Ai-on-ana bush, jfri'ne tracks wer&i very evident —one set .was oi a smaii s'uiod pony and the other of a large, shod horse. Hugh tthaw, poiiice constable, Kihikihi, said he, in consequence of complaints that two pigs had been stolen 'at Arohena, nearly 30 males iroin Kihikihi, investigated the circumstances, and on 12th November, in company with Constable Forsyth, he arrested accused Wright, a half-caste, who'in a statement admitted he was responsible, and incriminated accused Jiuia. Wright said that about 18th October they went to Puniu creek, eight miles away, to fish for eels. He had been in tne district about six months, coming from Kaitaia, North Auckland. When up near the pig pen, Huia suggested tnat they each take a pig home, riuia hit the pigs over the head, and they killed the animais, taking them home.

•Edmund Wright, in evidence, said he w&s 26 years of age, living at Arohena. He left Huia's on Monday. About three weeks ago (he couid mjot remember the exact date) he. and Huia went past Dewson's farm to catch eels. On trie way home they noticed some pigs penned in the yard behind the mukmg shed. Witness suggested taking a coupie of pigs. Jiuia agreed, and lie kiiied two. They were put in bags and taken home, each, man carrying one. Ajti home the pigs were- bled and cleaned, and portions eaten next day. i To Huia: Teta was only once eelfishing with them, and was not present wneru the pigs were taken. At this stage Huia asked for an adjournment to enable witnesses to attend. Continuing, Wright slaid only Mrs Huia and the children were at home when the two men arrived there. Huia said he went eel-fishing only on the 6th, and intended to go also on the 11th, 12th, 17th, and 18tn of October. He wouid like to call witnesses in corroboration. The dates were entered in a diary. To the Court, Wright said he rode a big horse .with a damaged hoof. Huia, was on a small horse. Both animals were shod.

Constable Forsyth said Huia's request was the first he knew that witnesses weer desired. Wright had been locked upon on Monday aiternoon, but Huia was brought from Arohena only on Tuesday morning. Robert Huia elected to go into the box, and declared that they had not taken the pigs iat all. Only once had they gone eel-fishing to the Puniu. His neighbours could verify that. He could bring witnesses to prove that he had killed no pig. He did not know why Wkigrhit should tell such a yarn. He was employed as a share-miiker, and kept pigs, but had not killed any of" them for a long time. The only pork he had had was a half-carcase brought on Monday by Wright from a neighbour's. The only time he went eeling was on 6th October. Wright and Teta were with him. Wright's statement that he was at the qraek on other dates was wrong. Did not know why Weight should say they stole* pigs. Witness had only once been before the Court —on a charge of fighting. He. never looked for tight, but the other Maoris in the district were waiting for him: they disliked him. If thay interfered with him he intended to tell the police. One night the Maori minister dined with them. There was pork to eat. Witness told the parson that it was wild pig, and thei parson made no, comment. *

When asked whether he desired to be dealt with by the Supreme Court. Huia said he would not mind being dealt with summarily, but asked for an adjournment to obtain witnesses. After consideration the Bench decided to grant leniency to Y/right, in view of the assistance given the police. by fining him £2. He should consider himself very fortunate, and profit by the leniency extended. Huia was in a different position, being older and an employer of Wright. He should have, set the latter a better example. Huia, was not of high standing in the community. The penalty for Huia would be a fine of £5. Default was fixed at. seven days' gaol for Wright and fourteen days' for Huia. The Bench reminded the convicted, men that they were very fortunate indeed to escape so lightly. The police had been put to a golod deal of trouble, and Huia had obstructed them as. much as possible. His story w%5 not; at all acceptable.