A NOVEL CLAIM

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 80, 25 June 1927, Page 5

A NOVEL CLAIM

SOCIETY THREATENED AN OPTIMISTIC FARMER Is an acclimatisation society responsible for the actions of all the beasts and birds under its jurisdiction, even though they wander ad lib in all parts of the country? That was the question which occupied the attention of the executive members of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society last evening. The question arose out of a threat contained in a letter from a Waitangi settler to bring an action against the society for damages alleged to have been done by deer on his property. “They eat four acres of turnips last I can prove.” wrote the settler. He contemplated bringig the action

on the grounds that, as the society protected the deer and collected fees for shooting licences, it should be prepared to pay for damages done by them.

That was not his only reason, however. He had previously made another claim against the society. Alleged deer stalkers had shot two of his breeding sows and the society had decided that owing to insufficient evidence it could take no action in the matter, nor could it see its* way to compensate the settler for his loss.

His persistence proved of little avail. Within the next few days he will receive a polite note from the secretary expressing sympathy, and suggesting that he take civil action against the men whom he alleges shot his pigs.