The Sheep Act.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 11, 17 April 1885, Page 2

The Sheep Act.

The Wairarapa Star says :— A. decision of great importance to driven of sheep has been given by Mr. Wardell, R.M. At the instance of the inspector for the Wairarapa a Napier drover named Millman was proceeded against under the 49 th section of the Act, which provideg that before sheep are driven over any run the owners shall receive at least 24 hours' notioe. Millman was -■ driving some 200 sheep lately from Napier along the main road through the Forty Mile Bush, and the alleged offences consisted of camping near the road on the property of Mr Dorsett. It was pointed out that drovers would have a great deal of difficulty m driving along a chain road if they were liable'to be prosecuted should their sheep trespass on unfenced property beyond the road line. The Beuch held that the Act must be interpreted strictly, and that drivers are liable, should they fail to give the notice prescribed, if their sheep happened to leave the road. The defendant, m this case, who was brought all the way from Napier, and had to employ counsel, was fined the minimum penalty of 3d per head, or 50s, besides being ordered to pay costs amounting to £4 18s viz., costs of court 265., informant's expenses, 425., witnesses 305.,