R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3229, 13 June 1889, Page 2

R.M. COURT.

MASTERTON.—THURSDAY. (Before Colonel Roberts,.R.M., and Mr

A, W. Brown, J.P.) SHEEP CASES,

Inspector Drummond v, J. Hessey, broach of the Sheep Aot, in exposing sheep "for salo infected with lico in Lowes and lorns' yards. Dofendaut [pleaded guilty, and a nimimun Sun of 20s, and costs 9s was inflicted. Samo v. Williams and Beetham, samo offonce; no appearance of defendants, Inspector Drummond prayed tho offence, and defendants were finod 20s and costs 9s.

T. L. Thompson v. David Burling, I charged with shooting, nmimiug, and , wounding a dog on Friday, 24th May. Mr Bunny for Plaintiff, Mr Beard for defeudajit. 1 Plaintiffs counsel in opening the case stated that phintiff and defendant were , neighbors,' had properties near each ether, but no sheep proof fence between then:. Hearing that defendant was mustering his sheep, plaintiff went over and stated he wanted to see if any ol his sheup woro with plaintiffs Defendant objtcted, but ultimately withdrew his objection. Mr Thompson i saw Bovoral slieep with Ilia earmark on. They also had Mr Burling's mark. Threo i sheep were separated and ruddled, and , Mr Thompson said he should require to know how they camo into Mr Biirliug's possession. The next day Mr Thompson 1 and two others returned to Mr Burling's, and wcro met by defendant and his father, who ordered them off, The fathor threatened to shoot plaintiffs dog if lie did not Clear out. Inspector Drummond and Mr McLood were also present. Plaintiff and thoso with him \vont some short distanco' awny, and some time after, Burling eenr, shouted to his son to shoot tho dog, which lie did, seriously wounding it, and then threatened to shoot plaintiff. For the latter offence .a separato charge was laid, and would be heard by the Court that day. The value of tho dog waß £7, but the Act providod a penalty not exceeding 120 or six months. He should ask if tho conviotion was brought home 'to them the Court shall inflict such a penalty as would deter them from siieh conduct jti futiire'. He mentioned that after shooting the dog defendant reloaded his gun, and was 'suplied with powder and shot for that purpose. T. L. Thompson, informant,- stated he was a neighbor of Henry Burling, a sheep farmer. He heard Burling was about. to'mußter his sheep, and lie wont over to his property, Biooktahds, with a shepherd and two dops, Ho arrived about 3 o'clock on the 23rd ,Miiy. Inspector Drummond went into tho house, and Mr Burling'and two. sons panjo out with him. It was agreed, alter a good deal of demur that he should be present at tho inspection.' He saw several sheep with his earmark. Mr Beard objected to any Evidence of what took place on this day, the dofoudan|j not being present.,' • Mr,Bunnyßaid if his friend was'going to burk tho evidence lie should apply that the chargo aguiist the father should |je heard first, . ; ; ' The Court cftid : ;riote. was. bein's taken of tho statement, lit Beard poiutjd but that tho timo

of the Court was boing wasted. s and'ho I asked tlio Court to Biistam his objection. : The Court sustained the objection. • , W'itiicas resumed: He returned next day with his shepherd and dogs, and saw a |ari(e number of men about. Bis suspicion tvas aroused-, that forciblo--objection would be taken to, his inspect--iiig tlio sheep. There wgi-o abuub eix or*- .iJB.seven mou besides Mr Bruinmund there.. 'Wp HecajledtoMrDruininpnd.-and whilst talking to him, Henry Burliug- the father—- 7 ". ;■ ; -

The Court said it was no good eiying ; evidence nguirist Henry Burling when David Burling was before the Court, against whom a specifio charpo had beeu laid. ,

.Witness resumed! After a deal of con* • . venation With defendant camo formrd with'a' gun and raised it to his shoulder with a view of Snooting ■ tho dogV winch waa withih five yards of • witness. Ho then rode up to him. and warned", hiin not 'to shout.' the dog. ' . \Vitneßßos shepherd was closo by when. witness went- tip to David'Burlini? and told him he must not shoot the do?. Be' , repllied " I'll Blioot you let alone your:. b—•dog.". He then.shot tho dog, - wounding and disabling it in the foro and hind lega, The dog' was permanently disabled. ■ ■ John Drummond, Sheep Inspector, stated he was present at Mr Burling's on2sth May. MrThonipson came up about a quarter to eight o'clock. Burling, seur. said,he would give Mr Thompson five minute? to clear out, or he would Blioot : his 6?g, Some one from the yards shouted "the timesneur up,". The father said " times up, go on," when accused, who had tlie ten with him ran towards tho dog. %ue3s called out " Don't shoot, theyUre going away." Mr Thompson called tiut • several times "don't'shoot my dog.?? Defendant however fired and shot thik dog which rolled over iu tho rushes,' ■. N John MoLeod, shepherd, corroborated •the former evidence. j F. 6. Moore, County Clerk, on being called,, stated l that (.the teg'istration.of dO?s, so far as the ' vyairarapa North ', County Council was concerned, was a dead letter/ The Act had never been put in operation since the ohango of boundaries in 1888. • .. (lkft sitting.)