MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2307, 27 November 1925, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS,

Mr. R. M. Watson, S.M., presided over yesterday’s sitting of th e Magistrate’s Court.

For allowing stock to wander in the Pohangina County, Wingate Bros, were fined 15/- and costs 7/- on one [charge 7/- on a second charge. For similar charges the following were fined: J. Wills, 15/- and 7/- costs and I second charge 7/-; M. M. Nesdale on three charges, fined 5/- each case; R. Pettigrew 5/- and costs. For failing to stop his vehicle when called on to do so by the Traffic Inspector, George Svendsen, Levin, was fined 20/- and costs, and for using a car without proper registration plates was fined 20/- and costa. W. Bowden was fined 20/- and costs for driving a motor-car without a license.

On two charges for parking an unlighted car, Ed. John Palmer, wat lined 10/- and costs on each charge. B. M. Here for keeping diseased bees after receiving notice to destroy same was fined 20/- and costs. P. Tillet was ordered to give uj possession of a tenement to the Pending Farmers’ Freezing Ooy., Ltd. (Mr. L. A. Elliott) at the termination of three weeks. Failure to Destroy Rabbits. A. E. Clausen was charged with failing to destroy rabbits on his property at Klmbolton. Evidence was given by Inspector Souness as to an inspection he had made and stated that no earnest attempt had been made to destroy tin rabbits and neighbours had succeeded in destroying rabbits on their properties. On the other hand, the state in which he found the property would bi a menace to his neighbours. Defendant cross-examined the witness with a view of proving that the barrows had been dug out and also that shooting parties had frightened the rabbits on to his property. To the Bench: He did not think the rush of feed in November had prevented effective poisoning. The defendant admitted receiving the notice and the letters. He had sent his brother Immediately to lay poison, but it was not taken. Then "he bought carrots which were laid for a week. On October 19 he again poisoned. He then put the cows on to the bush to graze them dow r n so that the cover could be got rid of. He then received the summons, and did not know what to do. It was only the scrub and standing portion of the bush that was infested.

Cross-examined, defendant said he had used a sugar bag of carrots mixed with the proportion of strychnine, the inspector had left from a previous poisoning. He ha<j a bad knee and could not personally Inspect the "work., A younger brother gave evidence as to laying the poison. The Magistrate said he was inclined jio be easy because the defendant had tried. The Act said the rabbits must be destroyed and h& was liable to a ftn© of £IOO. The fine would be £3 and costa and

he must take the advice of the Inspector if outside labour was necM. sary. Judgment by Default. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the following undefended cases:—Goo. Phillips v. Goo. Castle £2 9/6, costs £1 6/8; P. F. Mitchell V. D. Byrne £9 10/-, costs £2 14/-; E. T. Waugh v. Geo, Smith £42, costa £4 6/6; A. E., C„ E. M., L. M., and W. F. Beazer v. K. Thompson £lO 16/-, coats £2 15/- R, Munro v. D. Laing £ll B/9, costs £2 14/-. Judgment Summons. D. Byrne was ordered to pay Geo. Wells the sum of £7 5/11, at the rate of £2 per-month In default 7 days’ Imprisonment, and Geo. Smith was ordered to pay Smith and Caughey, Ltd., the sum of £2 14/8 by February 1 next in default 3 days’ imprisonment.