AN INTERESTING CASE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 3310, 1 May 1909, Page 5

AN INTERESTING CASE.

POWERS OF STOCK INSPECTORS

Electric Telegraph— Press Association. Auckland, April 30. A case of interest to farmers, drovers, and others concerned in sheep and cattle sales was determined today by Mr R. W. Dyer, S.M. in March last John Russell Lang, fanner, ol Mangere, was charged on the information of W. R. Brown. Stock Inspector, with obstructing and hindering the latter in the exercise of his powers and duties ol stock itill peeler. The facts as adduced from tiie evidence ol the inspector were that on February lltli whilst inspecting sheep in the Otalmhu saleyirrds, his attention was drawn to the tact that the defendant was driving from the yards a number of rams which the inspector had not examined. The inspector called upon defendant not to remove the sheep, but to hold l them for inspection. Lang refused to do so. Words ensued, and defendant drove the rams off, despite the inspector's demand and warning. To-day Mr Dyer gave judgment. 11 11 said the Stock Act of 1908 gave an inspector ol stock the right to delin'ii sheep (or rati jo) yarded in a | public slleyard until such inspector had inspected them for lice, ticks, or other diseases. There were no regulations gazetted under the Stock Act ■ tar the guidance of inspectors in matI tors ul detail, hut the Magistrate was I compelled (though not entirely free | from doubt) to the belief that the | general powers given inspectors by the Act were wide enough to include the above. The minimum penalty prescribed by the Act, a line of £2, was imposed, with costs.