A STOCK INSPECTOR'S POWERS

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12758, 1 May 1909, Page 5

A STOCK INSPECTOR'S POWERS

(P«r United Presa AttociatioA.)

AUCKLAND, April 30

A case of interest to farmers, drovers, and others interested in sheep and cattle sales, was determined to-day by Mr R. W. Dyer, S.M. In March last, John Eussel' Lang,, of MaugeTe, farmer, was charged on the information of W. R. Brown, stock inspector, with obstructing and hindering the latter in the exercise of his powers and duties as stock inspector. The facts, as adduced from the evidence of the inspector, were that on February 11th, whilst inspecting sheep in the Otahuhu sale yards, his attention was drawn to the fact that the defendant "was driving from the yards a number of rams which the inspector had not examined. The inspector called upon defendant not to remove the sheep, but to hold them for inspection. Lang- refused to do so, words ensued, and defendant drove the rams off despite the inspector's demand and warning-. To-day Mr Dyer gave judgment. This was to the effect that the Stock Act of 1908 gave an inspector of stock the right to detain sheep (or cattle) yarded in a public sale yard until such inspector had inspected them for lice,, ticks, or oth.^r diseases. There were no regulations gazetted under the Stock Act for the guidance of inspectors in matters of detail, but the magistrate was compelled to find (though not entirely free from doubt) that the general powers given inspectors by the Act were wide enough to include the above. The minimum penalty as prescribed by the Act, a fine of £2, was imposed, with costs.