Breach of the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act At Conisborough.

Thomas H. Simpson, farmer, Conisborough, was charged with a breach of the above Act, on the 1st inst.

Alexander Todd said he was the Inspector under the above Act, appointed by the Quarter Sessions at Conisborough of information he received he visited defendant’s farm at Conisoborough, on the 1st inst., and found a sheep suffering from “scab,” and the defendant had given no notice to the police as required by the Act.

Regulations with regard to the carrying out of the said Act had been published in Conisborough, and he lived in the Public Press. Farmers sheep had been drawn from the focus, and in consequence of the notice he found some scabby sheep in a slight form. The fourteen were rather badly affected. No notice had been given to the police at Conisborough.

Mr. A. N. Tenterden, for the defendant, stated that the farmer sheep mentioned by Mr. Todd, had evidently been suffering some time. They had been well attended, though some were slightly affected yet.

Mr. Simpson, the defendant, answered to the charge, and admitted the facts. He said that he gave some explanation, but not entirely satisfactory.

Mr. Simpson said that he had taken measures to prevent the spread in June, and dipped in July, and were clean. They were subsequently dipped again, and some were found slightly affected, but in October, when they were dipped, they were pronounced perfectly free. He never knew that any of them were again affected until the 21st Dec., and he told Sergt. Morley on the 26th Dec. Since then he had acted upon the instructions he had received.

Sergt. Morley then called, deposed that he had asked Simpson whether Mr. Simpson, on the 26th, had been to his residence and told him about it.

Lord Ackland (chairman) said the bench could, in the circumstances, inflict a penalty of £20, but, as it was the first offence, and no actual damage had resulted, they would impose a penalty of 40s. and costs.