Magistrate’s Court.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1775, 23 December 1885, Page 2

Magistrate’s Court.

GEEYTO WN - TUESDAY.

(Before H. A. Stratford, R.M.)

Jamee Andrew Hazton was charged with attempting to abscond from bis engagements re the support of his wife, Maria Huxton, and ordered to find two sureties of £35 each with hia own recognisance of £SO. Fai.iug to find the suieties he was sent to gaol (or six months. Alleged Sheep Siealimo. Henry William Kempton was charged by Constable Smith, of Featherston, with stealing four ebeep, the property of C. Elgar, Fcrnside, value £2. Joseph Eccleton, constable, stationed at Greytown, sworn : I arrested accused this afternoon at Papawai on a charge of stealing four sheep, the property of Mr Elgar, of Fernside. When I told him of the charge be said he found the sheep on the road and put them in his yard. The defendant said ha had been at Waih.nga and arrived home front there at 2 o'clock that (Tuesday) morning, tie afterwards stated that he was at the Bush Inn, Morrison's Bush, between 10 and 11 last night and had a drink there, and got home shortly afterwards. I assisted in searching for the stolen property in accused's slaughter yard, and lound four sheep having marks in their ears like the exhioit produced, also found some sheep's heads with tbe ears partly cut off, to all appearances recently killed ; also a portion of an ear with a piece cut out corresponding to exhibit. 1 found il in a recess in a boarded fouce between hr* slaughter house and piggery. I also found some skins recently taken off sheep out.id# his slaughter bouse with the head poition missing. Constable Smith took charge ol the properly. To defendant: You said you were driving cattle from Martinborougb ; you also said you left there about 8 o’clock ; you said there was a boy with you, tho boy then present. You did not tell me the cattle were knocked up on the road ; you ssid you took tnem off tbe race-course this morning ; you said yon picked the sheep up when you took tbe cattle and put them in your yard. • When 1 asked you if some sheep were there you said font or five. When 1 a-ked you about them yon said you found them on the road ; you aaid nothing about a gate being open. You mentioned no other person as assisting you in d iving the cattle, but the boy. I distinctly remember you saying they were on the rot d and you put them in the yard. You did nt mention the race but the raoe-oourse; yon said nothing about the race leading to lh* slaughter yard. Am quite certain (hat yon ' said nothing about the gate being open.

Defendant here staled that Mr Thu* Kemnton cumd prove that his sheep were similarly marked. Constable Decision's eiamiuat on ojutiuued—l would take the sheep not to be lull grown. lie-examined by Constable Smith—l examined the road iu company with you and noticed sheeps’ foot marks on the Featherston side of accused’s slaughter yard ; the mark* were of sheep' not full grown ; lost trace ol them going into accused's slaughter yard. Beuch to Accused—Now you may ask him more questions. To Defendant—l did see some sheep, ■ number iu the paddock next your slaughter yard to-day about 2 p.tu. The R.M. here stopped the proceedings by remarking that they were altogether irregular and unfair to the accused. He tore up the evidence snd raid a fresh information would have to be kid, to be hoard before two justices on the 24th iust., the defendant to be remanded on bail iu the meantime.

Last iveuiug, before J. 'iuiiy and Dr Spratt, Ei-qs., J.P.'s, defendant w.is aomitted to bait iu hie own recognisance of L50l), and two sureties of L‘2so. The sureties wet* forthcoming and the accused was released.