ILLEGAL IMPOUNDING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2396, 11 January 1909, Page 5

ILLEGAL IMPOUNDING.

A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY. At the Court oil Saturday morning additional evidence was taken by Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., in the Tologa. Bay case of W. F. Hale v. liana Karima (Mr. A. T. Coleman), olaim for alleged illegal impounding. John Warren, clerk of the Cook County Council produced the minute book of tlie Council, and also newspaper advertisements showing defendant’s appointment as deputy ranger as assistant to Mr. Agnew of lologa Bay. llis Worship held that there was no provision in the Act for such an appointment, and asked what was really meant bv tlio term ranger. Mr. Coleman replied that the term was generally taken to mean one v ho had the power to- impound all stock straying on the County roads. . His Worship said there was nothing to show that that was so. He would Have to b f o bound by the Councils minute. ■ • , . Mr Coleman claimed that it was an understood thing not only in Poverty Bay, but in many other places in tlie Dominion, what a ranger’s duties ..wore. • After hearing further -argument. His Worship said that it was clear that the stock had been illegally impounded, as defendant had not really been appointed to do such work. It was a technical point, but he would have to enterv a conviction. Considering the circumstances, lie would not impose a fine or allow costs. On the application of Mr. Cojeman, His Worship granted leave of appeal, and to, render this nossiblo imposed the nominal fine of os. Two further similar cases were adjourned to Tologa Bay.