WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13382, 9 January 1917, Page 6

WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER

CATTLE LEFT IN YARDS

STOCK AGENT FIXED.

A stuck agent in the employ of the Fanners' Auctioneering Company, named C. I}. Smallficld, was charged before Mr E. I'awson, at Hamilton, yesterday, wiili tailing to supply about 200 head of caitlc, of which lie had charge, with sufficient tood and water. Constah e .Mali itie.v staled that in consequent o of complaints lie visited the Hamilton saleyards o;j Decetnlier l~>, and lound there about 200 head of citt-r, most y c.ilves, '/rotliing at the mouih, and looking in a state oi general .'xhanstion, apparently trom want of ' .ood and wa:er. He ascertained that ilie animals had lieen in the yards for 2t .hours withyill anything u> cat yr drink.

Defendant said (he stock comprised aios'ly ca \\s that had just lett their mothers, and it was difficult to get hust calvi 5 <jt ihiij doer »t ion to drink for several days after separation. quite true that the animals were frothing at the mouth, but this was the result of their excited state, and their efforts to get out of the pens. He was only a servant of the company, but did his best for stock in all cases, but in the present instance it would have been very costly to take all the animals out to give them water. In any case it was very doubtful if they would have drunk anything.

The -Magistrate said the question of cost had nothing whatever to do with the matter. 'Jhese cattle should not have been left for 24 hours without food or wa'er. His Worship pointed out that defendant could be sent to gaol for two months without the option of a fine for the offence, but in this case he would inflict a nominal penalty of £2. and costs, to let pepoie in charge of stock see that animals must have proper treatment. He was not sure that the company which employed defendant should not have been jointly prosecuted.

Constable Hern, who conducted the prosecution, said he would look further into this matter.