Untitled

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2990, 25 January 1881, Page 2

Although at its passing both Houses of the Legislature we published a synopsis of the " Brands and Branding Act, 1880," we have good reason for believing that < tbose with whom it has most to do know ! very little of its provisions. Under the old Provincial Acts owners of stock are well enough aware that they could not register an ear-mark for cattle, the earmark beiog applied only to sheep. The Colonial Act of last session permits the registration of cattle ear-marks, as tht< following interpretation section clearly shows :—" Brand means and includes a distinct and plain mark, made as follows : In the of horses or cattle, burnt with a branding iron into the (-kin, or or> the horn of cattle. In the case of sheep, a wool-brand made with pitch, tar, paint raddle, or lamp-black mixed with oil, o tallow, or other suitable substance, in letters, figures, or otherwise not less than two inches in length, on the sides, back shoulders, hips, or rump, or a fire-brand on horn or cheek. And the wood " brand" in respect to all stock includes an earmark made by cutting, splitting, or punching the ear, but so that in noeaee shall more than one-third of the whole ear be be removed." This in a very important point to know as all owners of cattle are aware how the fire-brand i* liable to become indistinct, to blotch in branding, or be defaced by dishonest person?. Under the ne*v Act, whicb came in force on the first day of January, brands are to be registered, the Sheep Inspectors of the district in Hawke's Bay being appointed the Registrars. Brande already registered are to be held valid until the expiration of two years from the commencement of thi3 Act. If not then re-registered they are to be deemed to have been abandoned. No Registrar shall register any brand likely, in his opinion, to lead to mistakes or confusion. Brands may be abandoned on information forwarded to the Registrar. The penalty for using another person's braud shall not exceed £50, nor £100 for branding without authority, or for defacing brands. The mark or impression of any registered brand upon any stock shall be primd facie evidence of the ownership of the said stock by the person in whose name such brand shall be registered in the register of the district. Sheep are to be kept legibly branded after the age of four months under a fine not exceeding £10 for every such sheep not so branded. If any person shall wilfully shorten or otherwise mark the ear of any cattle, sheep, or horse belonging to any other person, he shall be liable to a penalty of not more than £20 for each head of cattle, and for each sheep or horse in respect of which such offence has been committed.