RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1110, 13 March 1879, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wednesday, sth instant. (Before H. A. Stratfi.nl, Esq., R.M.) George Beer was charged, under section 28 of the Slaughter-houses Act, 1877, on the information of Vv'. Towle, inspector of slaughterhouses for Lake County, with having, on the 3rd instant, failed on demand, to produce or to give a satisfactory account of the skin of a sheep slaughtered by him on that day. < Sergeant Morton conducted the case for the informant ; and Mr Turton appeared for defendant. M. Casey, shepherd for D. A. Cameron, runholder, was in charge of a flock of sheep at the Station near defendant's farm. On Monday, 3rd inst., while going from Arthur's Point to the Three-mile to obtain a flock he noticed, on passing defendant's house, the mob of sheep going in and out of fence alongside track. On turning round saw defendant run to his own house with a sheep killed ; defendant, on seeing witness, put the sheep into his shed and closed the door. Defendant appeared to be watching witnecss. Came to Queenstown and reported the matter to the police. Went back with Sergeant Morton to defendant's house, and soon after arrival defendant (who was then absent) came down as from the hill above. In reply to a question from the Sergeant he said he had killed a sheep. The Sergeant asked to see the skin, when defendant said it was thrown to the pigs. The head was produced, but the ears were cut off. Could not say whether it is usual to cut off the ears —it might be done when taking off the hide. Mr Cameron's sheep are branded a circle in bar on the rump in wethers, and on the shoulder in ewes—the top of both ears is cut, and a small bit out of one ear. There are crops of oats and potatoes and English grass in defend int's paddock. To Mr Turton—Could not say whether Beer had pigs. Saw the sheep with its throat cut, but did not see it tied. Would not swear as to ownerfhip of sheep. Did not know the custom in killing sheep. Could not say whether skins just after shearing were of any use. To the Bench—lt was between 10 and 11 in the morning when I first saw the sheep, and returned with the Sergeant soon after noon. Sergeant Morton deposed to being informed by previous witness of killing of the sheep at 11 a.m., on the Monday previous ; went to defendant's house at the Two-Mile (The evidence of previous witness was corroborated.) Had been an inspector during the last 20 years in Austoalia and New Zealand and never before saw the ears of sheep cut off in skinning. Sent for Trooper Towle, inspector of slaughter-houses. When he arrived, asked where the offal was, and defendant said he had thrown it to the pigs, pointing to a place in his paddock, where oats were cut in stoop, and where potatoes and grass were growing : saw no trace of pigs. Cross-examined—Beer claimed the sheep as his; saw no pigs in the garden, there were several dogs about. W. Towle, authorised inspector of slaughterhouses for Lake County Council, from information received on Monday previous, proceeded to defendant's house ; defendant admitted killing a sheep that day, and on demand for the skin said he had given it to the pigs, pointing to a place in his paddock where crops and grass were growing ; saw no trace of pigs ; saw the head and carcase, the ears being cut orl—which was not usual. Cross-examined—There is a small garden but the entrails were on ground separated from it .by a fence. Defendant showed me marks which he said were pig tracks. For the defence G. Beer deposed to killing a sheep—his own —on Monday last ; brought it out of his paddock to his own house ; killed it and carried it into his shop as he had no other place to dress it in ; it was a usual thing in town and other places to cut off the ears when a person intended to use the head. Threw the entrails to the dogs and the hide to his pigs, as they were of no other value ; was at M'Kecknie's, a neighbor, borrowing some tools, when the Sergeant first arrived ; about two hours elapsed from the time of killing sheep and arrival of the Sergeant. Was not aware that the Slaughter-house Act was in existence, and it was customary for everybody he knew to kill sheep and keep no skins. To Sergeant Morton —The pigs could get to the potatoes and oats in the paddock, but they seldom attempt it, because the dogs are trained to keep them off. To the Bench—l have a little over 200 sheep in my grass paddock. Mrs Beer, wife of previous witness, corroborated his evidence. W. Beer, son of defendant, was working at MrT. Kirkpatrick's, Closeburn, where the ears are taken off as well as the hide. At Mr Cameron's witness had done the same thing. They generally threw the skins away at the present sent season. W. Kechnie also gave evidence. The Bench, in giving judgment, characterised the gobbling up of the skin in question by defender's educated pigs within an hour or so, and not a vestige left, as something worth chronicling. To say the least of it, his Worship did not consider defendant had given a full and satisfactory explanation touching the skin. Possibly, however, the Act being new, it was not generally known, therefore the penalty would be light. Fined 20s without costs, or in default distress. J. E. Haines v. J. Dalton—No appearance. Struck out. T. G. Betts v. W. Maclarn.-Claim for £lO, goods supplied. Mr Turton for plaintiff. Judgment by default, for amount claimed, with costs Bs, professional fee, £l Is, and witness, ss. The only heard in the R.M. Court yesterday was that of St. Omer v. A. Kennie. — Claim for £5, goods supplied. Judgment by default, for amount claimed, with costs. A judgment summons case was struck out, there being no appearance of either party.