FENCE FOR A BULL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 255, 24 July 1936, Page 2

FENCE FOR A BULL

Magistrate Fines Owner of “Carnation Castle” NOMINAL PENALTY ONLY Allegations that there was "something behind all this” were made by Archibald George Gledhill, of "Carnation Castle,” Lowry Bay, when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, yesterday again ou two charges of allowing a bull to wander on a road. The case was adjourned three times p’reviously to allow defendant to construct a fence to keep the bull within his grounds, aud yesterday defendant was lined 10/- aud costs on each charge by Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M. Mr. G, R. Powles, who appeared for the flutt County Council, said defendant hud been given several opportunities of erecting the fence. He had done a considerable amount of work; but not enough to prevent the bull getting out should it so desire, He did. not think the matter .could be parried further. It required tbe active cooperation of defendant. Certainly the bull had not been out jp the past few weeks. "T|tey are determined that the fence, even if it is absolutely solid concrete, is not enough to keep the bull IlfT said, defendant. “There’s something‘ f behind all this. It’s not the Hutt County Council against Gledhill, it’s Taldwin against Gledhill.” The magistrate: You must not make statements like that, Jlr. Gledhill. Defendant: I respected your Worship’s request to see t)jat this was a finality, and I got going immediately. I got a chain of fencing up at once. It was fine and splendid, but unfortunately during the past five or six days it has been very sloppy. Further ramming would only cause it to be like porridge. Defendant went on to describe the fence he had constructed. There were no fewer than 11 strands of wire, and the fence was at least seven feet high. Defendant: I have carried ont your Worship’s wishes, I think, but the weather has been against me, and it has been a very heavy expense. The magistrate: Now- look, Mr, Gledhill, this is the end of the matter as far as this court is concerned. If that bull breaks out agaip you know what to pxpect, Defendant; It cannot, sir, it cannot The magistrate; We sincerely hopq so' but suppose it does. Defendant: Row dp I stand if they hre:;k in and let the bull put again? The magistrate: That is a horse of another colour. If the bull gets out and wanders at large you can only expect to catch it. Defendant (with his hand cupped about his ear): I cannot catch it. The magistrate (with emphasis); You will catch it. Defendant: I think Yaldwin and others managed to get the bull on to the road with a short rope the morning they took the photographs—and that within half an hour after I left. The magistrate asked Mr. Powles pbout his application for costs. Mr, Powles replied that there had been three inspections, each costing 10/-, and there had been three adjournments. Defendant: Ah, money, money, money. ,! At tho last two adjournments you said you would consider—” began de: fendant. The magistrate: No, Mr. Gledhill, I am not going to hear you. The magistrate went on to say defendant appeared to have done a great deni of work to restrain the bull, and he would take that into consideration: He did not propose to inflict more than a nominal penalty, put If tbe bull got out again the fine would be more than nominal. Defendant pad the last word. “I thank your Worship," ■he said, •‘You study equity as well as the law. Many don’fA