HUNTING TRESPA SERS AND SETTLERS' FENCES.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 961, 20 August 1878, Page 3

HUNTING TRESPA SERS AND SETTLERS' FENCES.

Sir, — Will you kindly inform a subscriber, through the medium- of your paper, if the laws of New Zealand will allow the hounds and huntsmen, and also the public, to trespass on property and break down fences wholesale, and, if not., who is responsible— the Hunt Club that invites the public to follow the hounds, or the public that do the damage. It looks very well m print to see the great sport and enjoyment of 300 horsemen following the hounds, and breaking down fences; but there are two sides to be considered. I don't -follow the hounds; neither do I take any interest m them. For the last seven or eight years, I have been raising thorn fences, which turn the cattle. On Friday last, the hare crossed my farm twice, the hounds and all the crowd following, breaking down about ten gaps A few of the horses jumped over, doing very little harm, but, by the time all the scrubbers have gone through., they have levelled the bank down, battering some of the thorns out by the roots. Before I had time to make up all the gaps, there have been a lot of stray horses getting m and damaging my property. I see the Waikato people are Bpeaking about joining the Pakaranga Hunt ' Club, and getting the hounds m the Waikato for six weeks next season. If so, I hope the law gives some protection. Any information on the above will greatly oblige a great many of the readers ot your paper. — I am, &c, Settler. Cambridge, August 14, 1878. [The owners of the hounds, and all following them into private property, render themselves liable to the law of trespass. Since writing the above, we see that certain gentlemen have voluntarily come forward to make : good any damage. —Ed. W. T.]