R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2482, 21 December 1886, Page 2

R.M. COURT.

MASTERTON.-MONDAY,

(Before Mr Von Siubmbb, R.M.)

John Drummond v John Johnston.— Breach of tho Rabbit Act in failing to destroy rabbits on the Mataikuna run. Mr Bunny for the Rabbit Department. Mr Williams, manager of the Mataikuna station, appeared for defendant and. pleaded guilty. Mr Bunny stated that defendant had been fined on a . former occasion for a similar offence, and that had 'had the effect of makino him attend to the work of destroying the pest; but latterly he •had become lax again.. He would ask His Worship to inflict a heavy penalty as defendant had six neighbors all around in close proximity to him. He called Agent Smith,, who gave evidence to this effeefc. John .Drummond also deposed that he had visited the run, on several occasions lately and found tho rabbits to be on the increase, fle considered that sufficient steps were not taken by defendant to eradicate the W. B. Williams stated that he had killed all the dogs on the station because they scattered the rabbits all over the run. He wanted 'the rabbits to flock together so that when poisoning timecame again it would have more effect. He, however, had three men with guns continuallv at work.' A fine of £lO and costs was inflicted.