Cat That Went Astray

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1921, Page 1

Cat That Went Astray

Si! IP PAYS PENALTY OK L-70. SYDNEY. Sept. 1 I Cnusual evidence was elicited last week in the Sydney Central Police Court, during the hearing of charge of alleged infringement of the provisions of the Quarantine Act. It was alleged that between May 21th and June Ist some person or persons unknown to t! it informant (Reginald De '/esc Bucknoll a Commonwealth officer and port i* sjjeelor of stock) knowingly imported a cat, in contravention of a proclamation under the Act. and that Christine B-.ros-trom. of Lavender Bay, aided and rhcited the commission of the offence. Bucknoll slated tat when the Ventura arrived mi May 2ith. customs officials searched the vessel. A Persian eat belonging to Mrs Brest rom was found m *nhm, which w:d d u'.lt-locked. The € hie*:' (muvr un-

locked the cabin for witness to in sped the animal. A ijuaiter ol ai

hour before the vessel unde.l on June Ist. he had the cabin door unlocked, and found that tin* cat was not there, hut that another cal had been substituted. Subsequently lie went to Newcastle and son robed the house ol Mrs Brostmm’s brother, hut was unable to liml the cal. Accompanied hy Mis Bradley, a customs inspector, witivss visited Mrs Brostrom’s hoti<e. She admitted that she had been a passenger hv the Ventura, and that she had brought a Persian eat trom America. She stated that, as far as site knew, it went hack to America on the \ mitun.

('out inning, witness said he again visited Mrs Pnelp-m, and she admitter buying a Persian eat from a lady in Pitt st re. !. y. ney. lor • 11 ' s -

Meeting a man near the vessel, she gave him the eat to take on board and give it to one ol the crew, who was to substitute it •for her cat. Her eat was to he delivered to her, hut she ncxVr roeeix ed it. A- a r *-ult of t *

dLa p|)i*a t a nee ui d* * euimal. witness stated, the master t f th.e Veuttua had tt> pa v £ot) to the " too! it ies. Mr Maddoeks Cohen, who appeared for the del emit an t. suhmitt *d t’‘al there was no <*\ id *u e to •'ov. il*'

ihe animal had not been returned t America.

The Magistrate said the t ourl mii.|i*ive some extdenei* that tl. cat w a t;,keu off the ship. In Ha* .* 'irettn; stances lie dismissed the case.