Horse- and Cattle-Stealing.

New Zealand Police Gazette, Volume VII, Issue 24, 28 November 1883, Page 197

Horse- and Cattle-Stealing.

Stolen on the 20tli ultimo, from Halswell, Canterbury, a grey mare, aged, branded like K on near shoulder, heavy mane which hangs on both sides, lame in off hind leg ; the

property of Michael McTague ; value ,-68. Identifiable. Suspicion attached to William Smith, about thirteen years of age, who was seen driving the mare towards Prebbleton. lie is at present living with his mother at Prebbleton.

Stolen about the 18th ultimo, from St. Ronan’s, Half-way Bush, Southland, a light-draught black mare, about five years old, about 15J hands high, shoulders sore, unbranded, may have a star on forehead; the property of A. R. Hay; value £2O. Identifiable,

George Gage, alias Harry Williams, is charged, on warrant issued by the Wellington Bench, with the larceny as a bailee, on the 13th instant, at Wellington, of two horses, two saddles, and two bridles; value £3O; the property of Robert Somerville. Description : English, a sailor, twenty-four years of age, but looks older, about 5 feet 7 inches high, slight build, dark complexion, dark hair whiskers and moustache, chin shaved ; wore dark coat and blueserge hat. Ho sold one of the horses, saddle, and bridle at Otaki on the 15th instant, and the other horse, saddle, and bridle on the same day at Foxton, and then left there by rail for Palmerston. He was accompanied by a youth about sixteen years of age, looked like a sailor, fair complexion, who arrived at Wellington on the Btli instant from London as a stowaway by the steamer “ lonic.” Offender said that a letter addressed “ Harry Williams, care of Michel and Richards, Butchers, Wanganui,” would reach him. He has a brother at Reefton, who is known to Mr. Dowsing, storekeeper at that place. He was formerly employed as a groom at the Manawatu Hotel, Foxton.

(See Police Gazette, 1883, page 179.) The two geldings, the property of Geoffrey Potts, supposed stolen from Kaikora, Hawke’s Bar', have been recovered.

Supposed stolen about the 12th ultimo, from To Puna We Papa, Auckland, a black saddle-gelding, hack breed, about four years old, about 14 hands high, branded \\ on off thigh, also branded on near shoulder, but the brand is not known, star on forehead a little to one side, value £6 ; and a chestnut colt, about two years old, hack breed, about 13 hands high, star on forehead, branded \\ on off thigh, unbroken, value £3; the property of Paul Merit. Suspicion attached to Maoris, who went to the Thames about the time the horses were missed, or to a half-caste known as Jack, who resides at Maketu.

Stolen between the 16th ultimo and 15th instant, from a paddock at View Hill Station, Canterbury, six half-bred ewes, branded 2 on back, back bit and slit in off ear ; the property of John R. Gorton. Identifiable.

Supposed stolen from Okaiawa, early in August last, a light-bay hack gelding, six years old, 15J hands high, branded W or £3 on near shoulder, dark points, shortish tail, very strongly built, one of hind hoofs club-shaped; the property of Joseph Chadwick, jun. ; value £ls. Identifiable. The horse was bred by Patrick O’Donnell, of Nukumaru, and branded with Joseph Handley’s brand. David Lind, of Wanganui, owned the horse for a time, and sold him to Mr. Hair, jun., of Marton, who sold him to Mr. Chadwick. A reward of £2 is guaranteed on conviction of the offender and recovery of the horse.

(Sec Police Gazette, 1883, page 179.) The mare, the property of David P. Loasby, supposed stolen from Grey town, has been recovered.