Country Justices.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6541, 9 May 1889, Page 2

Country Justices.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL PAYS THB PIPEK. Tbe ways of the ordinary country J.P., as disclosed by the dog registration cases heard in the Amuri Court last Tuesday, are weird and wonderful. It appears that it has been the custom in the Amuri district for run-owners to send a cheque some time in April or May for the total amount of fees payable for registration of their doge. But this year a new ranger has been appointed, who, full of zeal for the half of the fines recovered by summons against dilatory taxpayers which he is allowed by the Council to retain, sought by, anticipating matters to make a good pooh He interviewed a local J.P. and procured from that gentleman a great number of blank forms of informations, duly signed, however, and which were to bo filled up by tiie ranger at his own sweet will. Armed with these the gallant ranger rode forth, like Don Quixote, prepared to annihilate all evil-doers, and over twenty dog-owners fell victims to his method. Promptitude and despatch characterised his proceedings ; detection, filling up of information, and service of same followed one another in rapid course. The irate squatters determined to fight the cases, although then ignorant of the modus operandi of the ranger. When the Court opened, it was found that Mr T. W. Stringer was retained for the defendants, and Mr Acton- Adams to conduct the prosecution. It was arranged that a test case should bo taken, to prove which. the Ranger was 1 called, and, under the searching crossi examination of Mr Stringer, revealed tne I modus operaiidi described above. tPh© Bench concurred in Mr Stringer's don* j tention, that the novel mode of drawing the information vitiated the whole proceedings. I. j The expenses incurred on account! of mileage, <fee, will amount to over i»0, which will be paid by the County Council.