Nelson News.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 498, 11 August 1902, Page 3

Nelson News.

(Per Press Association.) Nelson, Saturday. In regard to a recent judgmont of tho Supremo Court, declaring tbo issue of licenses and tho charging of fees by secretaries of acclimatisation societies to be ultra vires, the secretary of tho local society was advised by tho Colonial Secrotary on enquiry that tho Government is bringing in an amendment to forthwith legalise such licenses and fees. A test case was brought at tho Polieo Court horo to detormme tho meaning of the Dog Registration Act, 1880, in regard to exemption of all dogs under six months of age. Defendant contended that it was intended tho exemption should apply to all dogs, and therefore tendered a proportionate fee instead of tho whole feo for half a year. He pointed out that otherwise if an owner had tho misfortune to possess a dog becoming of registrable age on the 29th December ho would have to pay a half year’s registration for two days. In fining defendant a shilling and costs, a nominal penalty, the magistrate, Mr Rob : inson, held that tho Act did not exempt dogs under six months, It merely said that it could not compel registration till such age and fourteen days thereafter. It was not for tho Court to look into tho in-, tention of Acts, but to administer them as they found them-