UNATTENDED STOCK

Hawera Star, Volume L, 27 November 1930, Page 4

UNATTENDED STOCK

LEFT ON BY-ROAD. OWNER BEFORE COURT. Though an explanation that the animals were left for only a few moments was offered, William Pine, of Hawera, was convicted and fined IDs and 10s costs when charged before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Hawera Court yesterday with allowing a horse and cow belonging to him to be at large on the Little Waihi Road, Hawera, on November 7. Air J. Houston appeared for the Hawera County Council and Mr P. O’Dea for defendant. The two animals were at large and without proper guidance when he saw them betwen 4 and 5 p.m., said the ranger (Air E. P. Grant) in evidence. Air O’Dea : On the horse there was a bridle, was there not? Witness: No, nothing at all. It wais just grazing on the road. In evidence defendant said the animal referred to as a horse was a pony. It had been ridden by a hoy who was returning with the cow after having taken it to another property. The hoy had just gone to the house to inquire of defendant as to what he would do with the cow when the ranger came along. A bridle, sacksaddle and surcingle was still on the pony. Cross-examined by Mr Houston, witness said he went outside and had seen the pony. The ranger saw it from the end of the by-road some distance away. The ranger’s statement that the horse was not bridled was incorrect.

Recalled, tlie ranger said llie got out of liis car on the main _ road and walked to within two chains of the horse. He was satisfied it was not harnessed with either a bridle or surcingle. Remarking that there could he no dispute about the fact of the hoTse having been left unattended, the magistrate entered the fine as stated above.