TREATMENT OF STOCK.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1921, Page 6

TREATMENT OF STOCK.

CHARGE OF CRUELTY. AN OWNER OONVICTEDi Following an adjournment' a month ago, tbe ease in which the inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Mr. C. Wickham) proceeded against Mrs. H. Young, of Tarurutangi, for failure to supply stock with sufficient feed, was again brought on in the New Plymouth Court yesterday. His Worship had given defendant a month to allow her to either reduce the number of stock or to make better provision as regards grazing. On that occasion he intimated that the amount of the penalty would be dependent on the measures taken in the interim to provide relief. Mr. R. H.'Quilliam appeared, for informant and Mr. C. R. Stead (Waitara) represented defendant.

Mr. Quilliam reported that since the the hearing the inspector had paid a visit to the farm and found that about 15 head of young stock bad been removed to other grazing, and that the position in regard to feeding showed an improvement. An elder son was also resident on the farm now, and had taken charge. Mr. Quilliam referred to the fact that at the hearing the defence also relied on the statement that Mrs. Young’s stock were no worse than others in the district. Counsel said other farmers wished to repudiate this, and evidence would be called if necessary.

His Worship did not consider this was relevant, ami he had not been impressed by the statements of the condition of the other stock in that district.

The inspector gave evidence on the lines oT counsel’s statement, and said that there were now 40 cows and 9 head of dry stock on the farm. He thought that care would be required in the management, as the producing power of the farm, in his opinion, was being exhausted, and a good body of grass could not be obtained.

His Worship said he came to the conclusion at the last hearing that the condition of the farm and of the cattle were not due so much to any serious default on the part of the owners as to the neglect which no doubt arose from the fact that both Mr. and Mrs. Young had been ill, and that they had left the ma'nagement to a young son. There were one or two features now reported which somewhat altered the case, namely, that some of the stock had been removed, and a more responsible person was in charge. In view of the fact that the costs of the prosecution were somewhat high, he thought that merely a conviction and order for payment of expenses would meet the case.

An order was made in these terms, the costs amounting to £8 12s fid. His Worship intimated that he would like the inspector to visit the farm within a reasonable time to see that the condition of affairs was not allowed to go back again.