POLICE COURT.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 20 August 1920, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

OTAKI—TUUESDAY. (Before Messrs I’. Bennett and H. -S'ieolson, J Interfering Witli tire Hanger. George Gallagher (Mr Staveley) v. Albert Wiuterburu (Air Atrnore), charge of unlawfully interfering with the ranger while carrying out his duties. Defendant pleaded not guiltyMr Staveley. in opening his said Gallagher, wlto was ranger for Otuki Town Board, had iiad eousidtt able ditiieulty with owners of stock, and in the ease in question had warned the owner of the eoiv net to graze the aniu'nl on the road, otherwise he would impound it. Eventually, the cow was impounded, which rcn£*rcd the owner liable to a lino of JtoO. Gallagher stated that he saw the cow grazing on the road and seized it. Defendant came along, claimed the animal, took it, tied it up, and defied him (the ranger) to lake it. To Mr Atiuore: He was four or live chains away when he lirst saw the animal, and was taking it away when he noticed defendant com ng towards liim. When Wintorburii defied him to take the cow he threatened him with a ‘ 1 bhioy. ” lie hud driven the cow about a chain when defendant; headed it oIL John Xieol, farmer, said lie saw the cow grazing on the road with no one in charge. He was in Ga high it com panv at the time, hi* later, when Gallagher seized it. ho was not proscut. Mr Atrnore submitted for the defence that the cow wat>*grazing at the end of Aotaki street in close proximity to the defendant. When defendant saw Gallagher he drove the animal back to a paddock. The ranger, at the time, was some distance away. When Gallagher demanded a driving fee he refused to pay. and said he could take the cow. Defendant stated that when Gallagher demanded the driving fee he said he would not pay, as he was nearer to the animal than Gallagher, who was four chains away when he. (defendant) had the cow. Kvidenco was also given by Hetiare Tahiwi, who corroborated defendant's evidence as to each other agreeing to protect each other** stock by paddocking. The Dench inflicted a fine of 10s, costs 7>. solicitor £1 Is. nud witness l*K