BREACHES OF THE RABBIT ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 7

BREACHES OF THE RABBIT ACT.

At tho Magietra'e's Court ni Ci~i*e on Saturday, 4tU in«t., befoie Mr Hiuge's, S.M.. the adjournccl case ;iga:n;t Al^xa'idpr Einiiev, who vas chir<ircl with ba\i'->^ committed a breach of the Kabbil Act. was proceeded with. Mr Htitton uppeired for the prosecutor (Mr Taylor. Inspector of Stock) When the ca^e na, previou-ly before His coiut tho defendant contended

that the months of Ortoher, November, < December, and January were not suitable for the destruction of rabbits, and his Worship adjourned the ca^e in order to give the department an opportunity of bringing rebutting' evidence. After heiring the evidence of Inspector Taylor, Agent Clark, and Inspector Payne (station inspector employee! on Morven Hills, Ardgowan, and Tarras Stations), his Worship said he was convinced! that rabbit destruction could be carried on sucee-ssfully, ihe evidence brought forward by the depart -nent being overwhelming on that point. The defendant wa.s convicted and fined £5, with costs (£2 19s 6d). Stephen T. Spain, of Earnscleu&'h Station, containing- 66.000 acres, pleaded " Guilty " to a, charge of having eommittod a broach of tho Rabbit Act, and was fined £10, with costs (£1 10s). At tihe Magistrate's Court, Cromwell, on March 2. Herbert Harding-, farmer, of Queensbarry, was charged on the information of Stock Inspector Baxter, of Queenstown, with failing to destroy rabbits on his property. After hearing .evidence the magistrate 'Mr Burgees) dismissed the case as the evidence was not <-ufiicient to warrant a conviction.