A FARMER FINED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13948, 1 May 1909, Page 2

A FARMER FINED.

OBSTRUCTING A STOCK INSPECTOR.

Per Press Association. | AUCKLAND, April 30. A case of interest to farmers, drovers and others interested in sheep and cattle sales was determined to-day by Mr R. W 7 . Dyer, S.M. In March last John Russell Lang, of Mangere, farmer, 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 as stock inspector. The facts as adduced from the evi- | denco of the Inspector were that on February 11, whilst inspecting sheep in the Otahuhu saleyards. his attention was drawn to the fact that the defendant was driving from the yards a number of rams which "the Inspector had not examined. Tho Inspector called upon defendant not to remove the sheep, but' to hold them for inspection. ; Lang refused to do so. vords ensued, ! and drfemlant drove tho rams off despite th' 6 Inspector's demand and warning. To-day Mr. Dyer gave judgment. This was to the effect that the Stock Act of 1908 gave an inspector of stock' the right to detain shcop (or cattle) yarded in public saleyards until, such inspector had inspected them for lice, ticks, or other diseases. . - There were no regulations gazetted under the Stock Act for tho guidance of inspectors in matters of detail, but the Magistrate was compelled to rind (though not entirely free from doubt) that the general powers given inspectors by the Act were wide enough to include the above. The minimum penalty prescribed by the Act, a fine of £2, was imposed-, with COStft. . r