LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 1006, 19 December 1868, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Tho Editor docs not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents, Sir, — We are led to believe that the outlying districts around Napier may now considerthemselves protected from sudden alarm, by the scouting party stationed at Pohui under C'apt. Weber, called the " Intelligence Force." But, sir, the men composing this force are stationed at Mr. Parsons' house, a place quite oft' the line of road. From there parties are merely sent out daily to reconnoitre, returning at or before sundown. As these men are well paid, they should be compelled to perform their duty in an efficient manner. Why should they not build whaves at or near specified points of advantage, , where, they could sleep, and be relieved daily from tho head-quarters at Mr. Parsons' ? Only a few days ago a party of friendly natives crossed the Mobaka river, and would assuredly have escaped notice had not the scouting party happened to be out later than usual, in consequence of having supped with Mr. Gilbraith. At present this Intelligent Force seems to s.coub lifctle.'bufc ihe_ide_a_Qf_scouting L -r - T~am, &c, TjYnx. Sir, — It was announced last parade day that on Saturday next there would be blank firing. As a member of the Bfch Company of Militia, I warn the authorities that in the present wretched state of discipline and experience of this portion of the force, should the men be exercised in firing, some dreadful accident is most likely to happen. Most deplorably officei'ed, and with some of the rawest of , recruits j Gfod help us if we are entrusted with powder. I implore that this most ominous crisis will be provided against, and that in tho present sei'ious condition of the Colony friends may not shoot each other. I am, &c, No. 8. Napier, Dec. 17, 1868. Sir, — As some of your readers may have had valuable stock sold under the Impounding Act, the following case may be interesting. Last May I impounded a calf which was trespassing on my land. In giving the description, I described it as a strawberry heifer calf, red head, no brand visible. Mr. Smith, auctioneer, and the doputy-poundkeeper, who werp with me, also examined the calf, but did not see any car-mark or brand whatever. On the 2nd June this calf was sold under the Impounding Act for £1 7s. Two or three weeks afterwards, John Heslop claimed it as one he had been grazing for a lad named Hughes. I produced the poundkeeper's receipt. He said it had jnot been properly described ; that it was both ear-marked and branded ; and that, as I was the impounder, he would take me' to court. The case came before Col. Russell, Messrs. Tuko and Tanner, on 10th Dec, when plaintiff stated that ho was grazing two calves for a lad named Hughes ; that he lost one- of them last May, and eventually found it in defendant's paddock ; that it had not been described properly ; that it was both car-marked aud branded, and had a white back, a whito spot on the boll} I',1 ', a, little whito on tho forehead, a close mixed red and whito on tho sides ; and that he saw tho ear-mark, left ear, when the calf was grazing twenty yards off in tho defendant's paddock. The lad Hughes stated that it was a strawberry heifer calf, and was branded and earmarked on the right car. Iv my defence I said it was mid-winter when I impounded the calf, and that it was in very low condition ; that I had three witnesses to prove I examined it with every care ; and that I gave the description as ifc then stood, no ear-mark or brand being visible. My three witnesses corroborated what I stated. I then produced the calf, and Mr. Tanner remarked to Heslop that it had no white on the back, that it was marked on the right ear, and that the brand was indistinct. Heslop, io put matters right, was positive its mother was ear-marked on the left ear. The judgment of the court was that a very improper description had been given, and that the defendant at once bund over the calf to plaintiff, and pays 20s. costs ! If this decision is according to law, then nearly all stock sold out of the pound can be recovered, and that, too, at a very heavy loss to the impounder. — I am, &c., John Ore. South Meanee, 18th Dec.