RABBIT-PROOF FENCING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10409, 1 September 1911, Page 6

RABBIT-PROOF FENCING.

CLAIM FOR HALF COST.

Edward Wiadham proceeded against Coradlne and Whittaiker in tth|& Matsterton S.M. Court yesterday, to recover the sum of £l7 Os 6d, ibeiing half 'the .cost of converting a nonHrafobit-proof fence into a Tabbitproof fence. ■ Mr Joidau appeared for plaintiff, and Mr J. Coradine jaiair. for defendants.

Plaintiff isaid he had given notice !to defendants to erect a fence. The work was not dome, iso witness proceeded with the converting of the fence himself. By Mr Coradine: Witness knew that defendants- objected to the fence, because tihey were only in occupation of the property for twelve months from February last. There were about 26 cihaims' not touched. Mir Ooradine said that the Act held that a party was mot liable for half the cost of a fence' which was mot continuous'. He also held that the action should be taken, under the Justices of the Pea.ce Act.. Mr Jordan submitted that a. noncontinuous fence wa,si one with breaks throughout the length of it. After Lengthy legal argument., His Worship• reserved his. decision on the nonsuit questions'.

Augustus Johnson., who used to be in occupation, of the. land now occupied by defendants, said that after the post ia.ni drail fence had beem partially destroyed by fire isome. years ago, he had .suggested to Wadham that it be re-erected and wrie netting also put in. Wadbamn would cnot entertain it he proposal. Witness said tthat a reasonable cost per charge ■was 2s 6d for the labour for the fencing done. Jaime® Moore Coradine, one of the defendants, said they had the land for a- year for grazing, and the netting fence was useless. The fence ended half way across a. paddock. Therei were 200 acres in. the. section they occupied, and the annual rental was £2-5.

William Henry Whittaker, .thie other defendant, corroborated tine evidence of h.b partner. Hie also said that tJie .labour for fencing per .chain ousrhit to cost from. 2s to 3®.

Henry Eviamis 'stated, that he had dome ioomiti"aotiinig work dm 'erecting wire-aietitiing fences'. Hie thought an average working mam islitould put up. about five chlainis per day. A fair charge vflats 3s per chain. [His Worship reserved his judgment.