STRAY CATTLE NUISANCE.

Shannon News, 29 July 1921, Page 3

STRAY CATTLE NUISANCE.

SHANNON OFFENDERS IN COURT. _ A BIG LIST. Shannon business occupied tlie attention of Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., for some time at the monthly sitting of. the Magistrate’s Court at Levin yesterday. The cases were all against alleged breakers of the borough by-laws concerning wandering stock, the informations being laid by James Dalzell, ranger • for the Shannon Borough Council. A large number were not defended, the defendants failing to appear. The following defendants were convicted and fined 5s and 7s costs: E. Coakley, John Rettei*. Harold Hardy, Fred Small, S. Walters (on a second charge defendant was fined 10s with 7s costs), Benjamin O’Connell, Leo- . nard Johnston, 1.. Lauvrig, John Sullivan, Richard Roberts, Mary Wheeldon, A. Grumwald, Isabella Foster, J. W. Murray, M. Moynihan, W. Davis, S. Millar, James Osborne, Arthur Birchall, J. T. Bovis, A. Hyde, Evan Eagle, S. Peterson, A. Richards, Andrew Johnston,. John Schwass, W. Carlyle. R. Crow, K. King, Fred Johnston and R .Buckman were fined 10s with 7s costs, and James Richardson 15s with 7s costs. DEFENDED CASES. , C. O’Regan stated that he was unaware that he was committing a breach of the borough by-law when his stock was out. This was during 'the last flood, and it had been the practice of the Borough Council to allow the cattle on the streets at such times. His Worship stated that he had ne other option but to record a conviction. Defendant would be fined 5s ana costs 7s. CASE ADJOURNED. In the case against Alice Butts, . charged with allowing one bull, four heifers and four calves to -wander, it was explained that defendant was .un- . able to be present, and her son-iri-law appeared and pleaded sot guilty on her behalf. James Dalzell, borough ranger, gave evidence that one bull, four heifers and four calves were found in a street in Shannon. Mr T. Gardner;, of Shannon, a relative of Mrs Butts, stated that the cattle were defendant’s. For the defence it was stated that, the stock had never been identified as Mrs Butt’s, and the ranger had said nothing to Mrs Butts about them. The case was adjourned to August 23, to allow the defendant to be present. QUESTION OF IDENTITY. ' Charles Johnston, charged with having grazed his horse in the street, denied the charge. Ranger Dalzell gave evidence that he found defendant’s horse in the street. It was a dark brown horse with a cover on. He. knew the horse to be .defendant’s. Defendant:, You never identified that horse. The Ranger: I am not instructed to do so by the Council. He knew this horse well. Defendant gave evidence that he went up to his farm w r ith the horse in question on June 4 and stayed till the 6th. He owned another horse, but it was grazing at Mr Liggins’ place on these dat6s, when the offence was supposed to have taken place. To Constable Bagrie: He did not think Mr Dalzell s knew his horse. His Worship said he would give defendant the benefit of the doubt, but reminded him that if his statement was not true he was Jiablerto a charge of perjury.

CHARGE DISMISSED. Charged, with having allowed a cow and heifer to be on the street, G. Quarrie entered a denial. Evidence was given by Ranger Dalzell that the defendant’s cow and heifer were found in Grey Street on June 5. He was certain they were defendant’s. To defendant: He was quite certain of the stock. He did not know if any other stock defendant had. He did not notice any particular marks on any of the stock. Defendant stated that lie had had cows for about three years and had never been guilty of allowing them on the streets. At the time the ranger said he got the stock, they were being milked. He had never been notified that his stock were on the street. Constable Bagrie: Will you swear that, your cows were not out on that date? Defendant: Yes. Constable Bagrie: And that they have not been out since? DefendaittrYes. His Worship said that it seemed '< s if the ranger would have to impound the Stock in future’, and then there, would be no mistakes about identity. 'Hie case would be dismissed. GETS SHORT SHRIFT. When Robert duller was charged with having had a horse on the street, he pleaded not guilty. Ranger Dalzell stated that he found;

the horse in Piiinmer Terrace on June 5. Constable Bagrie asked defendant ii he did not admit to the ranger that the horse was Ills? .Defendant: i may have done so. His Worship: Then you will be fined 10s, and costs 7s