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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 12, 17 March 1866, Page 3

BEEACHES OF THE SCAB ACT. Joseph Watkins was charged with a breach of this Act. Mr: Kingdon, for defendant, admitted the charge, and said his client was ignorant of the requirements of the Act, Mr. Adams who appeared for the prosecution, said he did, not wish to press for a heavy penalty, but his ditty was. to see that the law be carried out. It was of.impnrtance that the public should know what the law was. The Magistrate said he had nothing to do with the ignorance of the defendant, but he agreed with Mr. Adams that it was not a case that called for a heavy penalty. Under the circumstances the penalty would # be £5 and costs. John, Price, was complained against for a breach of the Scab Act, in driving 3-5 sheep affected with the scab along a public road. He admitted that he drove the sheep in question, but said he was not aware he was doing wrong. He took the sheep from a clean flock, and he thought they were clean now. He was not aware he was required to inform the Inspector of his intention to drive the sheep. Mr. Adams said, the charge was brought under the 12th section of the Act, which prohibited a person from driving diseased sheep along a public road or land not in his lawful occupation ; under the 10th section, which prohibited a person from driving scabby sheep without having an Inspector's license ; and under the 16th section, which assumed all sheep to be prima facie affected with scab, unless the owner held a certificate from the Inspector or Deputy Inspector of their actual freedom from such disease. He did not press for a heavy penalty in this case either, but it was necessary that the provisions of the Act, which had only recently come into operation, should be made known to the public, many of whom did not appear to be aware of its existence. The Magistrate said it was desirable the coming into operation of the Act should be made known to the sheep-owners of the province, as well as the power of the Court to inflict a penalty. Under the circumstances the penalty inflicted would be the mitigated one of 2s. per head and costs. Debt Cases. Hornby v McKenzie. — Claim £5 14s. for money lent, and sundries. Judgment for plaintiff for the amount claimed. Boyle v. Hepburn. — Claim £7 14s. for a month's ■wages, as seaman on board the 'William Miskin,' and 4s. per day for some odd days. The defence of Captain Hepburn was, that although the plaintiff shipped at the rate of 17 per month, on the 18th February, before the month was expired the Avages were reduced to £6. The crew had notice of this, and they all left but the plaintiff. A set off was also pleaded by the Captain to this effect. The plaintiff had been employed to paint an anchor, and having done so, in a fit of ill humor he cast off the stopper, and let the anchor fall into the ship's boat, which was damaged by the fall. A carpenter's bill was put in for £5, the amount charged for repairing the damages. The court ordered the defendant to pay for the damages to the boat, and.postponed the case till Monday, as the set off could not be allowed till the amount was paid. Barrett and Edwards v McDonald. — This was a claim for £7 165., and the case had been adjourned till to-day, to enable defendant tc rclend a set off. The plaintiff brought witnesses to establish his case, but they were not heard. Judgment was given for £5 16s. 6d. Picton Election. — We have not yet full particulars of this election, but we gather that it has been in favor of Mr. Beauchamp, who had majorities as under : — Picton 42 Deep Creek .... 30 Mr. Adams had majorities — At Nelson . . . .26 liavelock .... 8 34 Leaving Mr. Beauchamp ahead by 38 The returns from Kaituna where not in when the Lytteltou left. Mr. Adams expected a majority there of 20 ; this would still leave Mr. Beauchamp 18 ahead: therefore his return may be considered certain. The Late Cart Accident ontije Haven Road. — Mr. Rowley called upon us yesterday for the purpose of stating that his vehicle, to which the accident above alluded to happened, was not at that time plying for passengers. On the contrary those who rode thereon were cautioned against doing so by the driver, who was simply trying the horse in harness. .