RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 62, 1 April 1879, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

FOXTON. Fkid.vy. slai;ch 28. (Before E. S. Thynne and J. T. Stewart, Ksqs, J.P's.) BREACH OF SHEEP ACT. . John Smith, of tha Upper Hutt, Wellington Avas charged with a breach of the 37th section of " The Sheep Act, 1878," in landing 18 sheep from the 83 Tui, at Foxton, on the 25th March, not being in possession ot the required certificate. The information was laid by Mr W. Simpson, Sheep Inspector, who prosecuted. Defendant admitted the offence. Complainant deposed that defendant had brought 13 sheep per steamer Tui, on her last trip ; he had inspected them the day before ; de« fendant showed him a copy of a clean certificate for the sheep, dated February, 1878 ; under the certificate he believed defendant could have driven the sheep overland; he got notice the day after the sheep were landed, to inspect them ; to all appearance they were clean. Defendant said he understood Mr Oruickshank,who sold him the sheep, that the certificate he had -would be quite sufficient. He knew nothing of the section of the Act under which he wa» prosecuted, and believed 9 out of every 10 persons who drov# sheep were also iguorant of it. Directly he heard he was liable to a penalty, he sent for the Inspector. In reply to the Bench. Mr Simpson stated he did not wish to press the charge, but merely to draw public attention to the requirements of the Act The Bench said that as the defen* dant had broken the law in ignorance and as he appeared to have done all he could to amend matters, a nominal fine of Is and costs, 7s, would be inflicted. The Court then adjourned. Satubday, Maboh 29. (Before Capt. Robinson and J. T. Stewart, Esqs, J.P's.) BREACH OF SHEEP ACT. Thos. Holmes was charged, on the information of W. Simpson, Sheep Inspector, with committing a breach of the Sheep Act, in landing several sheep from the ss Tui, without having the necessary certificate. Thomas Holmes (master of the ss Tui) said Mr Smith told the purser that he had a certificate ; the sheep were put on board whilst defendant was away; the purser generally looked after such matters. The case was dismissed, the Bench merely cautioning Captain Holmes.