STOCKOWNERS BEFORE THE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14212, 13 May 1908, Page 7

STOCKOWNERS BEFORE THE COURT

UNCLEAN SHEEP AND DISEASED CAITLE. At tho City Police Court yesterday, boforo Mr H. Y. 'Widdowfoii, S.M., William Moynihan was cliargod, on tho inforlnntion of tho .inspector of t.ho Slock Department, with being tho owner of certain diseased stock—to wit, two stccre—submitted for sale at Burnoido Cattle Yards. Mr Jefeoate, auctioneer for Stronach Morris, and Co., pleaded " Guilty " for defendant. Mr Macassey said the prosecution was under section H of. " Tho Stock Act, 1893," md the section provided for a penalty of 620 nor head against tho owner of diseased :attlc. Special provision was mado under "tho act for tho payment of compensation to any owner of diseased cattlo where such cattle wero ordered to be destroyed the owner in such eases being entitled to half tho value of each animal. Ine two steers in tho case before tho court noro sent to the yards from Middleman*, and wie very ba<lly affected with tuberculosis, the disease showing iteclf in open Rupert Fountain, stock insocefor, stated that the cattlo h?A been destroyed and the carcases sent to the acid works. .u f r «' lcfcoate saicl Ile wa * asked to say that tho owner was not aware of the condition of the steers, which had been running by thoinselvca in a separate paddock. -Mr Macassey submitted that the animals were eo affected outwardly with disease that it must have been apparent to anyono that they wero unfit to bo sold. His Worship said it seemed to him to bo a particularly bad case, and commented on tiie fact that defendant did not appear in person to give some explanation of how it was that ho was not aware of (lie tonditiou of the animals. Defendant would bo fined £5 per head for each steer, and Would be ordered to pay costs. UNCLEAN SHEEP. Mary Green, for whom her son (G. L. Green) appeared and pleaded "Guilty," was .charged with exposing certain eheep affected with lico at Bnrnsido Sale' Yards. Inspector Fountain stated that tho lot exposed comprised 35 lambs, and they wero yarded for salo on April 29. The lambs wore not very badly affected. Ho was informed that they were a lot left over from the dipping, and were scut to tho yards as fat lambs. It was a custom among fannera to get rid of fat lambs in this way, and so save-' the expense and falling back in condition which was attendant upon dipping arrajigemente.—Defendant's son said his moUicr had no knowledge of tho condition of the lambs, which were believed to be freo from vermin. A fine of 403 and costs was imposed. John Matheson wa6 similarly charged with regard to 55 lambs sent to the yards on tho same date for salo.—Mr Sidey (for defendant) pleaded "Guilty." Inspector Fountain 6aid tho lambs wero not badly affected, and a fine of 40s and costs was iinposcd.-Mr Sidey, in extenuation,, of penalty, urged that it was not usual to dip fat la-uibs before the end of April if they wero intended for freezing. The owner had bought 13 lambs, and was ignorant of tho fact that they wero affected' with lice. William' Aubroy and Frederick Bloxaru were jointly charged with sending sheep affected with lice to Burnsido Yards for sale.—lnspector Fountain stated that thero wero about 40 lambs in this Jot, and he undcjatood they woro the remnant from a number of sheep which wero held in partnership between tho parties, who had dissolved 'partnership. A line of 20s and costs was imposed upon each defendant. ,