LAW QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 39

LAW QUERIES.

fAnawered by a solicitor ol the Supreme CmssS at New Zealand. Letters and Telegrams roust addressed to “LEX,” o/o Editor, Otago WtUaae, baaeUn.] “Drover” asks: (1) Is it illegal to drive stock along a main road after nightfall ? (2) Would a person driving stock along a main road after dark be liable for damages in the event of a motor car running into the cattle? Answers: (1) Yes; it is provided by the Stock Act, 1908, that every person who drives stock on, along, or across any highway or Crown lands at any time except between the hours of 6 o’clock in the morning and 6 o’clock in the evening of the same day in any of the months between the 31st day of March and the Ist day of September in any year or between the hours of 4 o’clock in the morning and 8 o’clock in the evening of the same day in any other part of the ..year, unless provided with a permit to do so from a justice, or an auctioneer, or any inspector, postmaster, or constable, is liable in respect of every such offence to a fine not exceeding £SO and not less than £5. (2) Yes. “Bush.” —A can claim against B for payment of the article sold to him, notwithstanding the absence of a written contract. “Lease.”—The new lease is binding on A but not on B. As B is a. partner with A, ho is entitled to the benefit of the new lease if he chooses to avail himself of it. “Rainy Day.”—lf the landlord has failed to keep the premises in repair, the tenant’s remedy against him is an .potion for damages. The tenant is not entitled to withhold the rent until the repairs are effected.

Perplexed.”—The position with regard to gorso growing on the roadline is that the owners of adjoining lands are deemed to bo the owners of the land to the middle of the road, and must clear the roadline of gor.se to the middle of the roadline adjoining their property. Thirty Years' Subscriber” asks: What procedure must be adopted when a man wishes to change his surname? Answer: The law prescribes no rules limiting a man’s liberty to change his name. The practice, however, is for the person desiring to change his name to execute a deed and have it deposited in the local Supreme Court, and also to advertise the adoption of the new name.