INTERESTING TO SHEEP FARMERS AND STOCK OWNERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3918, 9 February 1884, Page 3

INTERESTING TO SHEEP FARMERS AND STOCK OWNERS.

Wanganui, This day. An interesting case to sheep-farmers and stock-owners was heard before the R.M. this morning. J. R. Sommeryile was charged with neglecting to register his brand under the Brands and Branding Act, 1880, the case being brought purely as a test case by the t-heep Inspector. The defendant, it appears from the evidence, has had a brand, C.S., in his family for the last thirty years, and as it was known as his lie wished to keep it, consequently he applied to have it registered last year as formerly. The Government, however, have issued instructions that the letter S was to be the Government brand for sheep, and the Inspector refused on the ground that it was likely to cause confusion by having the same letter in the brand. The defendant contended that the enforcement of the rule would act injuriously to fanners whose name begins with C, as their brand becomes known, and brands also known in the Home market of wool, etc., which, if altered, would meanagreatloss, andbandicappedonesection of the community who were unfortunate _to have their name begin with S. The point in dispute waß whether the defendant could register the brand C.S., and whether tho Government had power to mako a person take another brand. The defendant said he took action on behalf of himself and a number of other persons who would be seriously affected if the contention of the Sheep Inspector was upheld. The decision was deferred till Tuesday morning next.