R.M. COURT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3272, 2 August 1889, Page 2

R.M. COURT.

MASTERTON--MDAY. (Beforo Colonel Roberts, 8.M.) DRUNKS. Three first offenders pleaded guilty, and were discharged with a caution. Borough'By-Laws. Wm, H. Eobius, Fred. Chapman, and C. A. Tabuteau were fined 5s and 2s costs each for allowing chimneys to catch fire. Michael Cairns, fined Is and 2s costs for allowing three horses to wander at large in Cole-street, County By-Law.

F, G, Mooro v James Loader. Broach of the wheel tire by-law, (Wairarapa North County). Withdrawn. Radmt Act. Inspector Drummond v Reginald Dorset. Application for mitigation of penalty inflicted on 19th July under the Kabbit Nuisance Act, 1882 Defendant failed to produce any evidence to show why the penalty should be reduced. Decision upheld,

Inspector DruinmondvJohu Pike. Breach of Babbit Nuisance Act, 1882, Section 9. Mr Beard appeared for defendant who pleaded not guilty. Informant stated that he had visited the property of defendant and found rabbits very numerous in parts. Had since visited the property and did not consider efficient steps had been taken to destroy the rabbits on this run, and lie was not satisfied with tho efforts used. Mr Beard for defendant, crossexamined witness: Had. not examined the property since 4th July, Had posted a notice in May. James Harvey gave evidence to the effect that he bad visited the property of defendants twice in July and found rabbits numerous. Cross-examined: Had seen rabbits numerous within 300 yds of his house, Was aware that Pykohad laid poison in June but did not risit the run after. Would take about SOOlbs of poison to lay poison on IGOO acres of land. Saw'two lads rabbiting on ono occasion; also poison laid down but did not consider it sufficient. Went over a considerable portion of the run on the 3rd and 16th July. Had expressed dissatisfaction to Mr Pyke on tho Ist and 25th June. There might have been a slight decrease in some parts of the run. Had not considerably decreased. Inspector Drummond asked that more than the minimum penalty should be inflicted as that fine had failed to have the desired effect.

_ Mr Geard claimed that the information must be dismissed as there was no date given of service of notice The Act said that immediately on service of notice certain steps should be taken to destroy rabbits to the satisfaction of the Inspector. The information must show when the notice was served, or no offence could bo proved, This had not been done m the present instance, and the case must break down, as no offence had been committed within a given time. If the offence was not committed within six months of the service of the notice, there was no'offonceat all,

The objection was upheld and the case dismissed.