The Stock Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 24 August 1893, Page 2

The Stock Bill.

♦■ . . A gentle and generous measure for the extorting of fines from oolonial graziers. The Bill carefully provides, under the head of ' general adminiatiation 'that the maximum penalty for any offence shall not inj^ any case exceed the sum of flve hundred pounds. A mere flea-bite to the average farmer. If a settler makes any statement, knowing the same to be false shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £100 and not less than £5. Every person who obstruct! or hinden any inspector

(this is rough on the garrulous) shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £50 and not less than £2. A chat therefore may become expensive. Every person who introduces the virus of any disease is liable to imprisonment for two years. Every person who drives any stock through an infected area, or removes any fittings or soil upon which diseased stock have beeu kept shall be liable to a penalty of £50 but not less than JGS. Any person suffers to stray any infected stock will have to pay £50 or not less than £2. Every person who omits to give notice of travelling stock only becomes liable to a fine not exceeding £100 and not less than £2. If any diseased stock are found in any yard or other place at ■which stock are offered for sale or exhibition the owner becomes liable to a penalty of £20 and not less than £1 for every head of such stock. Every person "who leaves diseased stock on any land without destroying them is liable to a penalty of £50 and not less than £5, and if ho casts the carcase of any stock into a stream or allows it to lie about within half a mile of any highway is liable to £60 or at anyrate £1, also if he attempts to exhume such carcase he is liable to £50 and not less than £5. No stock is to be inoculated with the virus of any disease with the consent of the Chief Inspector, or £200 may have to be paid but certainly not less than £5. Sheep fines range from ten shillings a head for not dipping tc not less than sixpence a head. Failing to dip after notice rentiers owner liable to a penalty of £50 and not less than £5. Removing sheep affected with lice or foot-rot will be met with a fine of £50 or £2, but not less than £2. For any sheep found in a yard with lice the* penalty is only £10, and if the sheep are not dipped forthwith, by notice from Inspector a further penatly of £20 and not less than £5 is to be paid, and if for foot-rot, the penalty is increased to £50. There are penalties for not paying sheep rates punctually. Every person who neglects to give notice of mustering is liable to £20 penalty. No one must drive stock, except in the day time unless with a permit from a J.P., otherwise he will be fined £50 but not less than £5. Any person who removes any stock from any one else's laud without owner's consent is liable to £100 or 12 months' imprisonment. There are a number of penalties too numerous to mention, for branding and earmarking. Altogether we hold with the remarks of the members on the second reading of this Bill. It seems specially framed to ruin the unwary.