VICTORIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2647, 7 December 1904, Page 8

VICTORIA.

Melbourne, November 14. The past month could not have been more favourable to farmers and graziers than it has proved. Store stock of all classes hay© improved in valuo, and fat sheep and lambs have commanded prices that compel store buyers to increase their limits. Freezing buyers have competed so keenly for suitable lambs, and have paid such highly remunerative rates, that young S vl« P i for store purposes have become very difficult to secure, and- good lines of weaners are scarce and dear. The advancing rates now being realised for wool help to harden the values of store sheep. Fat andi store cattle have not shown any improvement in price, and as far as | fats are concerned there is no doubt but • that fat lamibs being in such demand has been the chief factor in lowering prices i When the rush of spring lambs is exf hausted, good bullocks will probably harden in value. i An important decision was given recently by the Full Court in an appeal under the Pastures Protection Act. Mr J. C. Wat- ■ son, of Young, was summoned by the rab-

bit inspector for the district on a charga framed upon the 49th section of the act, of neglecting to fully and continuously perform his duty for the suppression and destruction of rabbits upon his run. Ihe inspector gave evidence that the local board had expressed dissatisfaction with cleiencl- - ant's work, and, though the latter gave evidence that he had done everytning possible the magistrate held that his testimony could only be talken in mitigation of th« punishment, and that the board having expressed dissatisfaction, he had no -option but to inflict a penalty. The aefendant appealed against this finding, and -the t till Court eet it aside. In making his awara, the Chief Justice said:— "lt really came to this, that the magistrate determined: that he had no jurisdiction, which «eas really, contrary to natural justice. The person charged should have an opportunity ot defending himself. The magistrate had not determined whether the person charged had token all measures necessary to destroy rabbits on his property. In .this ease there had been, following the practice of magistrates in such matters, a total denial of justice. The magistrates should try these, as other cases, on their merits." Mr Justice Owen and Mr Justice Pring concurred. The prohibition asked for to restrain further proceedings on the order of the -magistrate fining defendant was accordingly ""granted, with costs. - Another old colonist, and the part founder of a famous Ayrshire herd, has passed away in Mr John Grant, of Seafield, Tullamarine, at the age of 93. Mr Grant arrived' in Sydney in 1830, and coming to Victoria shortly afterwards, he occupied a farm on the -Merri Creek, at Campbell- ' field, for 11 years, and subsequently bought his farm at Tullamarine, where, in conjunction with his brother-in-law, the late Mr Duncan M'Nab, he laid the foundation of the famous herds of Ayrshire cattle, the' , breeding of which is still being continued on the neighbouring farms by the descendants of these two old pioneers.