A RANGER'S WARRANT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume xxv, Issue 10713, 29 August 1913, Page 3

A RANGER'S WARRANT.

MUST HE PRODUCE IT? "Ha* a- raiigor.of an .acclimotisatioiisocioty undor tile Animals Protection Act to produce his appointment before exorcising any powers he ha& ulidor tho Act?" This was the point to bo decided in an appeal heard before his Honour, Sir Robert Stout, at tho Supreme Court at Palmerstoai North on Saturday. Tho appeal was from the decision of Mr Edward Page, Stipendiary Magistrate at Taihape, before whom the case (out of which the appeal roe©) was heard. In that case the ranger of the Society had come across the respondents driving through Taihape, and suspecting there was game in the trap, called upon them to stop. They refused and drove away, the ranger pursuing and climbing into the trap. The ranger prosecuted, and it was held by Mr Page that he had to produce his appointment before exercising his power. Arguing on behalf of the appellant, Mr .Cooper contended it was not even necessary for respondent, under section 45 of the Aninafe Protection Act, to know that appellant was a ranger, his powers under the section being .absolute. His Honour: Section 46 goes further and says "any person aiding the ranger does not require a warrant. ; Continuing, counsel "contended that even if the magistrate were ripht in his decision that it was a condition precedent to produce the warrant, the non-production was no bar to an action for resistance. Couosel contended that the warrant of the ranger under the Act gave him all the powers of a oonstable. Mr Hogg, for respondents, denied the last contention of counsel for appellant. His Honour: Have you any authority? ■■ Counsel: Unfortunately not. Congtinuing, he stated it was a most singular thing hi connection the / ljnger that his a||ointmentf was on parchment and not as aipoliceman's on pape.C thus bearing out,' counsel contended, bis contention {hat tho ranger had to carry liis/warj rant, it being on parchment so vit would not -wear out. Counsel fur-*! ther contended that if it were necessary to produce the,, warrant there was, no~ necessity to put into the Act section 4, which states that the duct ion by such ranger of his ap-» pointmeut under the band of the Governor shall be a. sufficient warrant for his acting in any of the oases mentioned in sub-sections .1,. 2 and 3 of section 45 of the Act, Counsel contended he could not go further, and relied on this contention. Decision wes reserved, says the Standard.