FIRE BLIGHT PROSECUTION

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14585, 7 February 1921, Page 4

FIRE BLIGHT PROSECUTION

FIRST CASE AT HAMILTON. FUTURE OFFENDERS WARNED. A prosecution for Tailing to take the nooessary steps to eradicate Are blight from Infected fruit trees was heard before Mr H. A. Young, S.M., at Hamilton, to-day. Inspector Poynter, of the Agricultural Department, after explaining to his Worship the serious nature of this new disease, which threatened to exterminate the fruit trees of the Dominion unless a severe check was kept upon It, said that power was given under the Act to compel owners of infected trees to take remedial measures as specified by the Department. In the case of James Howie, he was given notice to destroy the Infected portions of a pear tree within 14 days, but had failed to do so. Mr E. H. Northcroft, for defendant, said he received his notice from the Department just as the holidays commenced, and was consequently unable to get a man to cut out the infected parts within the stipulated time. The work had, however, been done since. The Inspector said it was a common thing for people to do the work after receiving a summons. His Worship said that as this was the first case of its kind in this judicial district, and under the circumstances, as explained by -Mr Northcroft, he would impose a light penalty only, but future cases would be regarded more severely. Defendant was fined £2-and costs.