Magistrate Says That Farmer Is Responsible For Wandering Stock

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 May 1949, Page 6

Magistrate Says That Farmer Is Responsible For Wandering Stock

"You are responsible for the custody of your stock and it the gate is down you must make it secure," said Mr A. Coleman, S.M.. in the Magistrate’s Court, Wanganui, yesterday, afterArchie Young, farmer, Sewell RoadBrunswick, had admitted failing to keep three cows and a bull from wandering on the Blueskin Road. Mr N. M. Izard, who appeared for the Waitotara County Council, which prosecuted, said that the ranger found defendant's stock on the Blueskin Road at 8.30 a.m. on April 2. It was understood that the stock had been out on previous occasions and that defendant had no gate from his property to Sewell Road. The three cows and the bull were found two miles from his home. This was his first offence- however. A portion of the fence had been broken down during repair work undertaken by the Waitotara County Council, said defendant. The gate was in a bad place ana representatives of the county would inspect the locality this week with a view to the gate being placed elsewhere.. He was waiting on this visit before improving the position. Defendant added that his cows had been on the road before, but during the blackberry -eason people were continually coming and going and leaving the “ate open. He would just about have to live :’.t the gate to keep them away. From tne house it was impossible to see if the cows had strayed out on to the road. The magistrate said that defendant was responsible for keeping his stock in. It he found people were trespassing he should put a lock on his gate. Defendant: I have put up notices, but they chop then down and boil the billy with them. The magistrate imposed a line ot IPs, with costs 12s aid solicitor's fee, £1 Ils 6d.