ALLEGED SHEEP STEALING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 14

ALLEGED SHEEP STEALING

ONEPUHI MAORI NOT GUILTY MARTON, Feb. 3. Not guilty, was the verdict of the jury in the Palmerston North Supreme Court on Thursday, when a Maori named Rangi Tapene, of Onepuhi, was charged with the theft in August last of three sheep belonging to Melville Patrick Watson. There were alternative charges of receiving sheep, well knowing them to be stolen. The jury comprised Messrs. M. 1.. Styche (foreman), J. Mason, C. W. Bailey, B. F. Robin, F. B. Weeks, W. Farmer, C. H. Page, H. S. Dash, J. J. Jarvis, M. G. Kensington, A. J. Curtis, and S. J. Ensomc. Mr. H. R. Cooper conducted the Crown’s case and Mr. G. I. McGregor appeared for accused.

Melville Patrick Watson, butcher, of Marton, said he had had some hoggets running on 66 acres he had leased at Onepuhi. They were all branded with a green mark. Three skins found in Tapene’s shed bore witness’ particular brand. To Mr. McGregor: He had some difficulty in keeping his sheep from straying. Some were recovered from a place where a man named Ashworth was shepherd. The ears were missing from the skins. John F. Mcßae, shepherd, of Onepuhi, recollected seeing in Tapene’s shed three sheep skins bearing the green brand of Mr. Watson. He could say from expert knowledge that the skins had been removed as soon as the sheep had been killed. None showed signs of having been taken from an animal dead some time. To Mr. McGregor: Watson’s sheep had wandered about a good deal on neighbouring properties and also on th? road.

Constable H. Shields stated that when spoken to about the skins, Tapene said they came off sheep given him by Ashworth, except one which

came off a sheep which had been bogged in his cowyard. James C. Ashworth said that he had given Tapene live ewes Uit not hoggets. These sheep would have been branded with either red or blue raddle. He had also supplied accused with a dressed carcase for a tangi. Detective E. H. Compton slated that he took a statement from Tapene, who declared Ashworth had given him the sheep and it was their practice to cut lhe heads off when killing. They never left the ears on the skins. This co<ncluded the case for the Crown, and no evidence was called for the defence.