The Impounding Act.

Manawatu Herald, 24 November 1898, Page 2

The Impounding Act.

The Impounding Aot is full of pitfall, as has been made evident to a Tuturau settler. The Wyndham Farmer states that a case came before Mr Poynton, S.M., at Wyndham on Tuesday. It appeared from the evidence that a Mr Young, finding some cattle at large on the road fronting his property, caused his son to seize them and drive them into one of his paddocks, where he detained them all night. Next day they were driven to Wyndham pound. They reached the pound in an exhausted condition. Two had since gone dry, one was issuing blood from a teat, and the other two were "off" milking. Several witnesses were examined on each side. His Worship in giving judgement, said it was evident that Young had been caught in a trap by acting upon the wrong section — section 12 — of the act, which measure swarmed with pitfalls for the unwary. Young should have acted upon section 17 which provided that when stock are seized on a public place they must at once be driven to the nearest pound. It was only when stock were trespassing on land that a person could act as Young had done. In detaining them overnight Young had broken the law, and must be convicted. His Worship

ordered him to pay — damages to the cows, £4. ; driving fees, 10s ; impounding fees, £1 17 6d ; solicitor's fees, £1 2s ; court costs £1 10s ; expenses of nine witnesses, £4 ;— total £13 9s 6d.