MAGISTERIAL

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13890, 29 April 1909, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL

GERALDINE-TUESDAY, APRIL 27

(Before Mr V. G. Day, S.M.) CIVIL CASES. Commissioner of Taxes v. James Ogilvie; claim, £lO 10s 7d.—Judgment for amount claimed with costs. In the maintenance case of Scott v. Mu'lhern, Mr Farnie, for the complainant, asked for an adjournment for a fortnight, which was granted. BREACH OF PROHIBITION. Thos. E. Mulhern was charged with breach of a prohibition order, procuring liquor from the licensed booth on the sports grounds on Marcli 17th last. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was convicted and ordered to pay costs. NOXIOUS WEEDS.

James .Kelrnan was charged by Inspector Huddlestone with failing to clear his land of Caltfornian thistles after having received notice to do so. Mr S. G. Raymond, appeared for

the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. James Kelraan said that he owned a farm of 230 acres near the AYailu river, and in flood time the rain brought thistle seed on to his laud. He,did not live on the property. To Mr Huddlestone: Had not visited the farm lately. < Thistles, would go down the river and damage other people's property as well as his own. It would need a man to be on the spot all the time to keep the place clear. John Burke said that he was employed to cut the thistles dowu when the notice was sent. The inspector saw the land after witness had cut Iho tliistles, and said they had never been better cut for the last six years. Fred. Kelman said he was employed by lu's brother to clear some Californiau thistles. He 1 saw to it that the thistles were cut in December, and after harvest they were cut down again. The Magistrate did not think that the thistles had been properly cut. and in imposing the minimum penalty of 10s and costs, he >hoped it would net as a warning to others. Similar cases' were preferred against ■A. W. Kelman and F. Heron, and in each instance a fine of 10s and costs was inflicted. The Court then rose.