FOX-HUNTING FUED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 197, 20 August 1929, Page 12

FOX-HUNTING FUED

POISONING OF HOUNDS A FARMER BEATEN A scene in which a farmer is alleged to have been publicly beaten by members of a fox hunt had a sequel in the Tipperary Court.

The master and secretaries of the Tipperary Foxhounds claimed £lOO damages against George and Richard Switzer, father and son, of Curragheenduff, Ballingany, -who w’ere alleged to have poisoned five hounds. At a later stage the name of George Switzer, who was described as an old man of infirm health, was struck out.

Mr Kingsweil Moore, K.C., for the hunt, alleged that the hounds were poisoned because the hunt refused to be blackmailed into paying for damage they had never done.” He alleged that Switzer had not only put poison on his own land, but also in a fox covert bounding it. Major Murdoch Cahir, a prominent member of the hunt, said that after the hounds were poisoned Switzer cried, “That’s the stuff to give them.’’ Major Cahir said he lost his temper and struck Switzer with his whip. In cross-examination the major denied belabouring Switzer when he fell on the ground with an angry r crowd round him. Later that afternoon, he said, one of the dead hounds was flung through the door of Switzer’s house. Switzer closed the door, and, seeing that he was responsible for the dogs’ deaths Major Cahir said he thought he might as well have the other dog through the window. One of the party flung it through the glass. John Fitzgerald Fethard, a saddler, said that when Switzer boasted about what he had done, he (Fethard) struck him on the head with a butt end of a stick. ‘ ‘ The stick was too light and broke at the second blow,’’ he added amid laughter. For the defence it was stated that ample notice was given by advertisements in the Press and by posters that the lands were poisoned. Switzer was entitled to protect his property. On several occasions, said Switzer’s counsel, members of the hunt rode through his lands in defiance of him, and on one occasion Major Hutchinson, a secretary of the hunt, lashed at him with his whip. This Major Hutchinson denied. The jury awarded £lO damages against Richard Switzer.