BULLS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 241, 10 September 1929, Page 4

BULLS.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT. (From Our Own Correspondent). BULLS, Sopt. 9. Tho Courthouse at Bulls was crowded on Saturday morning, the main attraction being the hearing of charges of alleged theft against two well-known local residents, and after a lengthy hearing both accused were acquitted. Mr R. M. Watson, S.M., presided, and with him were Messrs F. J. Mansell and L. M. Taverner, J P’s CIVIL CASES. Judgment by default was given for plaintiffs in the following cases: —V. Edhouse v. R. Hart (Feilding). costs only, 9s 6d; Meads Bros. v. G. Boyd, £5 Bs, costs £1 12s 6d. Judgment Summons. —L. G. Rinks was ordered to pay to A. J. Vidal and Sons tho sum of £3 193, in default five days’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended os long as defendant pays £1 a week. ON LICENSED PREMISES. Throe men who were found at the rear of an hotel during prohibited hours wore fined 30s, with costs 10s. WANDERING STOCK. Hocroa Maruinaru, at tho instanco of Inspector Fowler, was charged with allowing 40 cows to be at large on Parewanui Road. Mr Mackay appeared for defendant, and entered a plea of not guilty. Inspector Fowler outlined the case, and Mr Mackay, in reply, pointed out that defendant’s cowshed was situated about four chains from tho grazing puddock, and that as tho cows were milked they proceeded along a special race to the road and wandered down to the paddock, the gate of which was open. Then, at tho completion of milking, the cows were all driven into the paddock. It was not the usual case of cows being put on the road for grazing. The Magistrate remarked that it appeared that tho cows were allowed to drift along the road at will to a paddock four chains away. Although this is not apparently a case ’of grazing, yet the practice had to be stopped. He would inflict a fine of 20s only, with Court costs 10s, and witness’s expenses 4s. ALLEGED THEFT.

George Castle and Rangiatoa Hunia wore charged with the theft of £3 10a, the property of Miss B. Fairweather. Detective Quirko prosecuted, and accused woro defended by Messrs R. Mackay and H. R. Cooper respectively. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, and olccted to bo dealt with summarily. Dotectivo Quirko stated that Mias Fairwoathor and her friend, Miss Wright, both domostics from Huntley School, camo to Bulls to spend a holiday on Friday wook. They stayed at a local boardinghouso, and occupied the bach, alongside the main building. They wont to tea in the boardinghouso, Miss Fairwoathor loavitig hor nurso in the chest of drnwors, and Miss Wright loaving her money on top of tho dressing table. That was at about 6 p.m. They rotuyned at about 8 p.m, nnd discovered that £3 10s belonging; to Mias Fairweather had boon stolon. The mattor w«4 reported to tho polioo, who, on making inquries, disooyored that a £1 noto bearing certain marks had boon cashed by Castle, Tho latter was arrested, and in his statement said that he had borrowed a note from Hunia on tho evening mentioned. He had immediately cashecj it, Hunia, was then arrested, and made a stato.

merit to tho police that ho had cashed a cheque for £2O on the afternoon of the day in question, and that the same evening lie had lent ono of tho notes to Castle. Detective Quirkc called Miss Fairweather, who gave evidence on tho above lines. In reply to Mr Cooper ,she said that she received her wages on Thursday afternoon (the day before tho alleged theft) from Mr Davis, of Huntley School. She was positive that the note produced was part of tho money which she had received, but had no idea as to tho appearance of tho other notes. She and her companion left their room at 6.30. and returned about 8 p.m. They reported the loss to tho police. She met Hunia that day, and he know their room. To Mr Mackay: She h:ad not scon Castle and did not know him until some days later. Her room was in the bach, which was separate from the main boardinghouse, and the place was empty while tiiey were having tea. Miss Elsie Wright corroborated the previous witness’s statements. To Mr Cooper: This was their first visit to Bulls, and they were supposed to bo on a holiday. They met liunia at tho boardinghouse, but did not tell him about the money thoy had. Ilor wagos wero in an envelope, and were not interfered with. To Mr Mackay: The bach was empty vlicn they wont to tea. She did not know Castle. She had not mot him, and . she did not blame him. Evidence was given regarding the cashing of tho chequo and the note. Constable Larmer gave ovidenco regarding recovering tho marked noto, which was identified by Miss Fairwcuthor. He charged Castle with the theft and arrostod him. Castle stated that ho borrowed a pound note from Hunia on tho ovoning of the alleged theft. Ho thon arrested Hunia, who admitted lending the note produced to Castle. Ho mentioned that lie had cashed a cheque on tho same afternoon. To Mr Cooper: He was positive that Hunia stated that it was tho marked note that ho had lent to Castle.

Mr Cooper addressed the Court, pointing out that Hunia had a large sum of money in his pocket, and it whs most unlikely that he would suddenly bo overcame by a desire to steal a fow pounds. Hunia would deny the constable’s evidonco as to saying that he lent tho marked note to Castle. What lie did say was that ho had lent ‘a note,” not any special note. Rangiatea Hunia gave evidenco as outlined by counsel, and said that lie had suggested to tho girls that he should tako them to “Rio Rita” at Palmerston North, lie stood on tho verandah for a while. Tho girls wont to thoir rooms, and thon away in a car with two strangers. He wont into tho bach, got his hat, and then went to tho billiard room. Ho set Castle there, and spent tho ovoning with him. Castle and ho cnino down tho street again about 11 p.m. Ho thon lont Costlo a pound, and tho latter changod it. He could not rocogniso tho note now, but ho know that it was not torn and marked like tho noto produced in Court, Ho doniod stating to the polico that ho had lent Castle tho noto produced. W r hen ho lent tho pound, Castle cashed it immodiatoly. To tho Magistrate; Castlo had tho noto in his possession for a matter of a fow seconds only. Matai Hunia gavo corroborative evidenco regarding mooting tho girls after tea, Thomas Rogers stated that he was present when Hunia was interviewed by tho Police, the note being produced, hut lie had not understood that Hunia mentioned

that it was the note which he had lent to Castle. That was tho case for the defence of 'Hunia. Mr Mackay asked that the charge against Castle be dismissed as there was no evidence of theft against him. T’he Court considered that there was a case to answer, and Mr Mackay outlinedhis defence by stating that on the evening in question Castle had tea at the boardinghouse, and my arrangement with the proprietor of tho billiard room undertook to look after the room while the former went away for tho evening. Castle received tho keys of tho billiard room before the girls went in to tea, and went to tho billiard room and stayed there until 11 p.m. Ho then went down the road with Hunia, and borrowed a note, which he cashed. Ho only had the note a few seconds, and did not know if it was defaced, lie denied all knowledge of the, theft. Corroborative evidence was given by the billiard room proprietor. That concluded the evidence, and in giving judgment Ilis Worship said : “Tho information against Castle must ho dismissed. There is no evidenco against Cast'e, if theft there was. With regard to Hunir, we have considered that charge, and we are also of the opinion that tho charge against him should bo dismissed. Wo are of that opinion because if there is to he any conviction it, depends upon the evidence of tho girl. The Court agrees with Mr Cooper’s contention that her evidence was most unreliable. Tho Court is prepared, therefore, to give Ilunin. tho benefit of the doubt. Both charges will be dismissed.