A STOLEN HORSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3705, 14 December 1912, Page 7

A STOLEN HORSE.

AGED MAORI CHARGED

IS HE MENTALLY RIGHT?

An aged Maori, dishevelled and with long white whiskers, was charged before Mr W. A. Barton, STM., yesterday with stealing a horse, saddle and bridle, valued at £23, the property of James Innes. James Innes said that, on December 11, he left his horse in Lowe street; and found it missing when he went for it at 1 p.m. The horse was worth £2O and the saddle and bridle £3, and ho had not seen them since the 11th until that (Friday) morning. George Whitehead said that at 12.45 p.m. on the 11th, lie saw accused riding on a horse towards Muriwai and identified the horse as the property of Mr ! limes. [ E. Hooper, interpreter, said that accused, when asked where he got the horse said he got it from a Native named Te Taihi. Witness and Constable Maloney accompanied accused and lie went along Gladstone road, turning down Grey street to Childer’s road where accused stopped, stating that Taihi lived at "the accommodation house kept by the old woman." Accused was taken to the police station and witness and the constable went to the house in question, but found that Taihi was not there. Accused then said there was nobody in .Quinn’s" stables when he got the horse, Taihi simply pointing out the horse to him and lie took it away. Witness did not believe that accused was right in his mind. H s bad not seen accused until the previous day, for he did not belond to these parts, but to Potae. Constable Maloney, of Patutahi. said that at 11.4-5 a.m. ,on Thursday he saw accused riding the horse in question, and accused, through an interpreter, said he brought the horse from Tolaga Bay. He brought accused to Gisborne under arrest on the present charge. Hie Worship said he was not satisfied as to accused’s mental condition and remanded him to appear on Wednesday next, so that Sergt. Hutton could make further inquiries.