PETERSFIELD.
PETTY SESSIONS, Tuesday.—Present: Honble. J. J. Carnegie (chairman), J. Bonham Carter, Esq., M.P., J. Waddington, Esq
A SINGULAR CASE.—The following singular case came before the Bench for adjudication: Mr. Edward Eldefield, the defendant, is a farmer living at Westmeon. On the 6th of December last a boar belonging to him strayed away, and was found by P.C. George Baker roaming in a certain highway in the parish of Eastmeon, and was impounded by him. The owner having learned where the animal was, applied to the policeman, and offered to pay any charges for poundage, keep, &c. The latter said he had no authority to make any charge, and he delivered the animal to the owner, who took it home, but subsequently received a summons to appear before the Bench to answer the complaint of the policeman in the matter, and to be dealt with according to law. It was stated in the course of the hearing that Superintendent Longland had communicated with the chief constable, Capt. Forrest, on the subject, whose reply was that the police were in no case to make any charge for impounding animals, but were to proceed by summons. Mr. Elderfield, on being asked by the Chairman if he had anything to say, very good-humouredly replied that whatever there was to pay, he must pay it, but remarked that it was a ‟great bore” to be summonsed for what he had been willing to pay, and had offered to pay, in the first instance. The pound fee and keep amounted to 1s. 2d., the summons and service of the same came to 4s. beside the loss of time and expense of going to Petersfield and back. The proceedings were taken under the new Highway Act. Surely there must be something anomalous in the provisions of the act, which ought to be directed as soon as may be, after Parliament assembles.
MISCELLANEOUS CASES—Samuel Todman, of Sheet, was convicted on the evidence of William Philp, of having trespassed in search of game on land in the occupation of Richard Hedger, in the parish of Steep. Fined 10s., costs 7s. 6d.
—Henry Burroughs was convicted of a like offence in the parish of Blendworth. Fined 15s., costs 7s. 6d.