FARMER'S DUTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 227, 25 September 1930, Page 8

FARMER'S DUTY.

BEFORE. REMOVING SHEEP.

NEIGHBOURS MUST BE TOLD.

OVERSEER'S OMISSION.

(Br Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WANGANUI, this.day.

A case of unusual, interest to farmers came before the magistrate this morning, when Keith Aitken, farm overseer, -was charged that at Parihauhau, being the occupier of land known as the D'Afcy Estate, he mustered and yarded sheep for removal and failed to give due notice to the occupiers, of adjoining land. Detective Eevell, who conducted the cas.e, said there was no. suggestion of dishonesty. Fat sheep, 271 in all, were drafted and handed over to a drover. Later, when the sheep were on the road, it was found that several neighbours' sheep were in the 'mob. •Farmers committed similar' breaches daily, and the ■ caec was-• brought to warn them .of their obligations, said the detective. . ; . Mr.'A. A. Barton, for the defence, said Aitken only visited the farm about twice a year. He,asked that no conviction be recorded, as accused was Jioneet. He ,contended, that the, information had not been properly laid. The Act stated that any stock inspector, or person interested, or owner could lay an information, but this did not mean an outsider or a detective. Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M.:'The Act says "Or other person interested." Is not a police officer interested in upholding the law. Mr. Barton: We arc all interested in that respect. The Magistrate: You contend that "a person interested" means-interested in the land. —Yes. "If the detective abandons the case," sajd the magistrate, "that does not help you, for the stock inspector could. lay the information." ■He reserved his decision. ' ..■.'...,