CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2112, 5 October 1885, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

MR CROSS'S CASE,

(To the Editor,)

Sin,—Will you kindly allow me space in your paper to make a few remarks about the case which has just been decided against me in the Resident Magistrate's Court, Masterton.

_ It is now some eighteen months ago since Inspector Drumniond summoned me for breaking the 46th section of the Sheep Act by driving 14 rams through infected cquntiy without his permission to do so, If you remember, the case was tried before Mr Wardell on June 2nd, 1884, and decided in my favor, as Inspector Drumniond had assisted me to drive the sheep that he afterwards summoned me for driving. Although Mr Drumniond in his evidence before the Joint Committee on the Sheep and Rabbit Acts denied being qh the Qahonga Run at all, yet he admitted in Court that he had crossed the Mataikuna river; therefore, what run was he on if not on the Oahonga'run ? 1 cannot help but feel that Mr Drumniond in his capacity as Sheep Inspector has persecuted mo from beginning to end in this case. When my sheep became infected with seab, I was ordered to separate the rams from the flock. I pointed out to Mr Drumniond that my paddock was not secure, and lie told ine that if not separated lie would have to tino me a pound a head each day for every day that they were out. At that rate there was nothing for it but to destroy the rams there an 4 then, which he assisted mo to do. It was not until some time after this that • I obtained a olean certificate, and by this time the season being well advanced, 1 loft home in a hurry to purchase rams, and had driven them on to infected country before I became aware that, the country through which I was passing was infected country within the meaning of the Act; but before leaving the ran I was on when 1 made the discovery, I sent Inspector Drumniond word. | don't think it was Inspector Drummond's cjuty to prosecute me when the 46th section qi the Sheep Act gave him full power to have passed the matter hy. _ Not satisfied with Mr Wardoll's decision, he appealed to the Supreme Court, and the Judges referred it back to Masterton, as they considered Mr Drummond's assistance was-given outside his official capacity. How they arrived at that conclusion I fail to see, as when I sent for Inspector Drummond it was in his official capacity that f wished to see him, and nqt a? a friend tq give mo ho called friendly help. It seomod to me that Justice was satisfied after being heard in the Supremo Court, but not eo Inspector Drummond, as it appeared to me, that he was determined to persecute me in the matter to the bitter end. Not content with inflicting a fine of ten pounds, they have also saddled me with the costs of t!ie apnea! J dqn'fc think nnlnspector of Sfr D,rummond's calibre sho.uld have the power to use the Sheep Act in the way in which he does to annoy and harass strugpling settlers, Apolopjng for trespassing tfl sqcl] an extent on your space, I am, &c., John Cross Gleriside. Whareama,