RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Colonist, Volume XXX, Issue 5015, 26 September 1887, Page 3

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

FRIDAY. [Before 0 Curtis, Esq., R.M.j Michael Murphy -was charged with having no risible means of support, and was remanded for s week, Mr loispeclor Atche9on said the acoused gave himsslf up as an escaped lunatic from Sunnyaide, Christchurch, bat as he could detect nothing wrong with the man, ha had communicatad with Christcnurch. R. S. Lucas was charged by Inspector Hull under the Rabbit Act, with not taking reasonable steps to destroy rabbits oa his property after being served with notice, >Mr Fell was for the Inspector, and Mr Pitt for the defendant. The defence was tbat defendant's manager scattered poisoned grain in a manner approved by previous Inspectors, i but Mr Hull said no Inspector could have been satisfied, and that the method of scattering grain among the fern was useless, it should be laid in small heaps, and that about alb to the acre might-then be sufficient. Mr Fell said the act provided, that the destruction of rabbits must be . carried out in such a manner aa in the opinion of the Inspector may be necessary. Mr Pitt raised some points, but after hearing these and the evidence, his Worship said he considered the offence proved, the poison not having been laid to the satisfaction of the Inspector, and he fined the defendant in the lowest penalty 203 with costs 28s.