THE IMPOUNDING ACT, 1884.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5495, 15 December 1884, Page 2

THE IMPOUNDING ACT, 1884.

The Jmpdundiog Act .passed laslißesaion comes into force on the! Ist January, and the local authorities are commencing to make ready for it. For the aake'of those who may not be acquainted with its details, we give bolow a few particulars regarding it. Every occupier of land mny impound, but no occupier of unfenced land shall be entitled to recover damages except for pigs and goats. Occupiers may claim the trespass rates provided in tho schedule attached to the Act, or they may suo for aotual damage ; ia the evfent of the latter course being taken, the cattle are not to bo detained in pound until payment of damages. In respect of the trespass of any entire horse, bull, or other anmal special rates are provided, and a penalty not exceeding £10 may be recovered in a summary way. Complaints made by owners of impounded cattle against the impounder may be heard before two or more justices who have power to determine whether the impounding was legal, and to return trespass fees in cases of illegal impounding or excessive demand. Animal 3 may be led, conveyed, or driven to the nearest pound. An occupier may impound cattle on his own land, but must give notice to the owner within sixteen hours of bo doing, and if not released within two days, he must take them to tho nearest pound. On goats and pigs the Act is very severe. The schedule rates are — Is for trespass on unfcnc'd land, 3a for trespass on fonced land, and 5s for trespass in a cemetery orlandunder crop, and if the trespass be repeated withiu three months double rates are allowed. Any occupier of land in artificial grass, or under cultivation, is allowed to destroy pigs, goats, or poultry, but must send within 24 hours a description of the animal, or animals, to the owner, if known, and if unknown, to the nearest police station^ The occupier must bury the carcase if it is not claimed and removed. Where cattle are found wandering at night, constables or land occupiers may secure them for the night, and take them to the pound at sunrise. Unbranded cattle above the age of six months, with no reputed owner, are to become the property of Her Majesty, and may be sold or destroyed. The appointment of pounds and poundkeepers is left to local bodies. Sufficient shelter has to be provided for all cattle by the poundkeeper, whose duties are fully set forth in the Act. Any J.P. may order the destruction of an impounded animal which is diseased or .injured to a serious extent, and may order in cases where the cattle impounded are not of sufficient value to defray expenses, that they be sold on an earlier day than provided ly the Act, Pound sales are to be held at such times in each month as local bodies direct, poundkeepers to act as auctioneers, but not to be allowed, either by themselves or their agents, to purchase any cattle sold. Penalties for illegally impounding, rescuing, &0., are provided, and may be sued for before anil. M. or two Justices.