STRAY STOCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 165, 15 July 1939, Page 10

STRAY STOCK.

FINDER'S LIABILITY.

MAY NOT KEEP PROCEEDS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGARET, this day. The Whnngarei County Council recently sought the opinion of the solicitor to the Counties' Association in regard to the disposal of stray stock. It has been the practice in the district for farmers who find stray stock on their land to advertise that if it is not claimed within 14 days it will be eold to cover expenses.

Tho association's (solicitor, Mr. F. M. Martin, states that the occupier has no Ipjtjil to sell cattle tresoaselng on hia land and no right to retain the proreeds of the sale. Under the Act he may impound stork on his own land for only two daye. He is entitled to charge the trespass rnt<? and the driving rnto a a set out In the Act. rs also he may charge the rate payable for sustenance. There is no statutory' authority for selling impounded eattie.

Tho auctioneer would be 15fiMe to the true owner for conversion, and if he hands over the proceeds of the sale with the knowledge that the cattle are not the property of the person ordering the sale, lie would be liable to the real owner for such money, the ruling states. As provided by the Act, at the end of two days the cattle, if not already released to their owner, should be driven to the nearest pound and there dealt with hy the poundkeeper. ,