AN OVER-ZEALOUS TAX GATHERED

Otago Witness, Issue 956, 16 May 1889, Page 15

AN OVER-ZEALOUS TAX GATHERED

, Christchueqh, Af ay 9. — A v curious • case , was heard at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Amuri, on Tuesday. It appears it has been the custom in the Amuri district j for the runowners to send a cheque some time in April for the total amount of fees < payable for the registration of their dogs ; but this year a new ranger has been appointed, who, full of zeal for half of the fines recovered by ' summons against, dilatory taxpayers, which < he is allowed by the council to retain, interviewed a local J.F. and procured from that gentleman a ' number of blank forms of informations, duly signed, which were, to be filled up, by therangpr, himself. Armed with these he proceeded against, some 20 persons, who determined to fight the' ,casesL although then ignorant of the I ' modus operandi of the ranger. When • the ' courjt wajj l opened Mr T. W. Stringer was retained for. the defendants, and Mr Acton Ada. m».,to, conduct . ' the prosecution. It • was < arranged ■ that a test case should be taken, to prove which the ranger was called, and under the' cross-examination of Mr Ejtringer revealed the modus operandi., ' The bench concurred, in, Mr Stringer's, contention! that phis novel mode of drawing up informations vitiated the whole proceedings. The expenses incurred on account of mileage, &c. amount to over i £50, which Will be paid, by the county council. .