MUSTERING STOCK CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1930, Page 7

MUSTERING STOCK CHARGE

INFORMATION DISMISSED

jdy Telegraph—Fer Press Association.

WANGANUI, September 30

Magistrate Salmon gave lus reserved judgment in the case of Detective Revell against Keith Aitken, a farm overseer, who. was proceeded against for mustering istock for removal, and not informing adjoining owners. When the sheep wer eon the road to the lreezing works, it was noticed that some pi his neighbours fats were amongst them.

Counsel for the defence raised the points that the Detective was not entitled to prosecute, as the information could only he laid under the Stock Act by a Stock Inspector or other person interested.

The Magistrate held: “It is clear that the Legislature intended that prosecutions should he brought only by Inspectors or other persons interested," and the only interpretation that can be put upon Words of other persons interested, is that the other person interested Is the occupier of adjoining land or interested as owner of the stock concerned, or affected. To adopt the view that, a stranger may prosecute (from motives of interest in enforcing the law, would be to put too violent a ■strain upon the language of the Statute, whch is clear and unambiguous. The information was dismissed.