THE FOUNDKEBPER V. HOPCROOFT

Western Star, Issue 1384, 28 August 1889, Page 2

THE FOUNDKEBPER V. HOPCROOFT

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — For the information of the public, would you kindly give publicity to the nature of the evidence that would have been given on behalf of Mr Hopcroft in the great calf case, brought on by Miller. The first witness, Mr Roberts, was prepared to state having seen the calves on the other side of his fence (that is, in Mr Hoporoft’s) every day from the Ist May. The second, Mr McWilliams, who while completing the Danioltown road contract, seeing them while passing and re-passing from the first to tho end of Slay. Third, Mr Blackstock, who while looking for lost beasts of his own, went to Mr Hopcroft’s on the 3rd May to look at the calves, and could, therefore, speak as to the identity. Mr Hopcroft, senr., No. four witness, when returning from Riverton, and as he passed his, nephew’s, saw the five weaners grazing- at the end of tho bridge paddock, and a little further on, between the bridge and Ihejfactory, he met tho ranger, Sanders, with six yearlings, and not only that, but hifaccosted Sanders, and said anyone driving such mites a long distance ought to bo had up for cruelty to animals. Last, but not least, comes the clincher Mr Miller, of Groper’s Bush. This witness Lad lost some '.calves and went to Hopcroft’s paddock, and there saw the stray animals thatthepouiidkeepor wanted to get possession of; Mr Miller then rode direct to the pound, and theya’saw tho calves that had been put in. Now, I would ask you to pause and think how on earth anything could be in two places at once. In regard to the conversation the pouudkeeper had with Mr Hopcroft at my gateHo asked Hopcroft what he intended doing with the calves, and was answered that he would not be satisfied. Tho poundkeeper then said ho would swear the calves were the ones he had in the pound, and Sanders said he could swear they were the calves he lodged with Miller. I said if either of them would swear the calves in Hoporoft’s paddock were the ones that had been in the pound, thov would bo swearing a d d lie.—l am, &c.,

Robt. S. McWilliams,

Siu.—Tho whole of the statements in “Ratepayer’s” letter, re the late impounding case and which appears in yonr issue of the 24th, are wrong:. The advertisement proves that tho calves impounded were not tho same calves as straved into mv paddock. The magistrate saw through the case and found that I was right, in fact, would not hear evidence on the matter at all. We have had enough to get through the hard times without men trying to put expense on us. I have not done with this case yet as I mean to have justice if I havo to sell the shirt off my back. W. Hopcroft, Jnr.