ENDURANCE OF SHEEP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19584, 14 September 1925, Page 8

ENDURANCE OF SHEEP.

IMPORTANT TEST CASE. AN APPEAL UPHELD. (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON, September 12. The question of how - long sheep ea.u exist without food was debated in an important appeal by William David Williamson (Tannia.runui), manager of Dalgety’s, against his eonvict.ion by Mr F. W. Platt.s, R.M., for alleged eruelty to sheep at the last. Ta.umarnnni fair. The appeal wa,s hoard before Mr Justice Herdman. The witnesses for the Crown stated that 132 sheep were left in a bare paddock at the saleyards for four days without food. Four or five 'animals died daily, and finally the mayor communicated with the police, and had the sheen removed. About, 20 could not, walk, and I hey had to bo carried. Four or five more died that day. The evidence of experts for the defence showed , that sheep could go for lengthy periods without food and suffer no inconvenience. They had been known to be dug out of snow after being buried for three weeks, and to have been still alive. Sheep were often in railway trucks for throe or four day.s. Appellant said that the sheep were in a bare paddock only one day. If the appeal were dismissed the whole system of dealing with stock would have, to be altered. The Judge said that the evidence for the Crown at first seemed to ho startling, but, expert evidence later had changed the face of things. Evidently, if the appeal were dismissed, there would be great commercial inconvenience The appeal would be upheld.