PIGS WANDERING IN CEMETERY

Northern Advocate, 21 June 1937, Page 9

PIGS WANDERING IN CEMETERY

Owner Has To Pay £2l, S.M. Rules For allowing his pigs to wander on the Hukerenui South cemetery, T. J. A. Hutchins was fined, in all, '£2l at the Whangarei Police Court to-day. All parties, including the magistrate, agreed that the imposition was on the high side, but that it was tire minimum which could be imposed under Section 89 of the Cemeteries Act, which stipulates a fine of not less than £1 for each individual animal.

The charges were in respect to five breeding sows, one barrow and 15 suckers, and three separate informations were laid by Richard Rouse, on behalf of the cemetery trustees. For complainants, Mr R. K. Trimmer said that Mr Hutchins had previously been warned by letter in September, 1935, and given to understand that proceedings would be taken should the offence occur again. Complaining Letters. Mr Trimmer produced a sheaf of complaining letters from relatives of those buried in the cemetery. • As a result, a watch had been kept last month, and the pigs driven off the ‘ cemetery. In one case,* a pig was actually rooting over a grave, Mr Trimmer alleged.

If the minimum fine was considered unreasonable, considering the large number of sucker pigs mentioned in the charge, Mr Hutchins had his remedy in applying to the Minister, said counsel. .

Mr D. L. Ross, for Hutchins, said his client had not been dilatory in the matter. When the position was- first brought under his notice, he' had taken what were considered adequate steps to retain his, pigs in confinement in the paddock opposite the cemetery, and had sent the offending animals ouh of tlje district. Pigs Break Through.

However, the netting obtained had proved to be sheep netting, and, on occasions, the pigs had been able to break through this. ,

Mr Hutchins had been absent from home when the last breaches were alleged to have occurred, and had he been warned before legal proceedings were taken, there would have been no further cause for complaint., ; ; Defendant strongly denied any damage having been done by the pigs * n S* 16 cemetery. The only warning he had received was a verbal one from Mr Rouse.

Mr G. N. Morris, S.M., said that a fine of £1 apiece in respect to the suckers appeared to be unreasonable, but that he had no option under the Act. The total fines amounted to £2l, with solicitors’ fee £1 1/- and court costs £1 16/-.