LICE INFECTED SHEEP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2260, 4 August 1908, Page 1

LICE INFECTED SHEEP.

FURTHER PROSECUTIONS.

At tho Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning boforo Mr W. A. Barton, S.'M., further cases were heard in which tlio Inspector of Stock (Mr. Ross) proceeded against several owners and agents in regard t 0 lice-in-fectcd sheep. Albert R. Hine, Wm. Woods, and Edward John Knapinan pleaded guilty to a charge of having exposed licoinfected sheep for sale in the Matawhoro saleyards. Each of the defendants claimed that ho had purchased the sheep, as clean, a week or two previously. His Worship held that he could not take that as an excuse. 'He would simply have to inflict tho penalties provided 'by the Act. Defendants were each convicted and fined £2 with costs 76. In tho case of Thomas Halbert, who was charged with having undipped cheep in his possession, Mr Blair appeared for defendant. Mr Ross explained that ho only asked for a nominal penalty in this case, as ho brought it more in the light of a warning to others, similarly situated: Defendant had some difficulty in getting his sheep dipped, and Quid been granted an extension of time, but notwithstanding this tho work had not yet been done. His Worship, at fii'st, inflicted -a penalty of £1 with costs, but it was pointed out- to him that the action was brought under Section 13 of tlie Stock Act Amendment Act, 1898. Under these circumstances His Worship altered his former decision and imposed tho minimum penalty under the Act referred to, viz., 3d per head. Mir floss said there were 1000 sheep concerned, His Worship'oxplained that be bad no alternative in the matter; tlie. law was clear. On the application of Mr Blair, for defendant, costs were not allowed.