Clarence Sturgess Taylor

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Court appearance - Clarence Sturgess Taylor - 1939

The Murrumbidgee Irrigator (Leeton, NSW 1915 - 1954), Fri 29 Jan 1932, Page 7:

FAILING TO DESTROY RABBITS
SETTLERS ON NEW FARMS FINED
On. Tuesday afternoon last, Mr. Sheridan, P.M., spent Australia Day holiday, in the stuffy little Whitton
Courthouse, dishing out fines to those settlers, who failed to keep rabbits under control. Mr. Dangaiy solicitor, represented the Narrendera Pasture Protection Board. He stated that as. these were the first cases in that district, and they were first offenders, the Board only asked for a light penalty.
The P.M. stated that he hated inflicting fines on settlers and he hoped that they would in future kill the rabbits . He was also aware of the fact that to some settlers it was cheaper to pay the fine than kill the rabbits. That may not be so, warned Mr. Sheridan, if they came before him as second offenders. The maximum penalty for the first offence was £10 whereas for second offence it was £50.
Norman James Taylor, pleaded guilty to having rabbits on his property. He stated he had not had the holding very long, but during that time had spent £250 in making the place rabbit proof. He was fined £1 and £3/2/ costs. James Taylor blamed the rabbits making for his high land during the flood period. He had spent £50 in clearing the rabbits. Owing lo the depression he could not afford to net the property against rabbits. He considered he had been harshly treated by the P.P. Board as his neighbors had done nothing towards eradicating the pest.
P.M.— 'Oh well, we won't be very hard. We'll let you off a little lighter. I'll fine you 10/ with £3/2/ costs'.
John Godfrey Bishop had 240 acre's of his farm infested with rabbits, Inspector Bean counting 20 active burrows and warrens and 80 rabbits. This. settler came forward to state his reasons why the rabbits were still playing about on his farm. He had only had this new farm for two years. He had worked himself to a shadow clearing the land and growing rice. It was a hopeless task trying to exterminate rabbits until the land was first cleared. The Commission would not advance money for him to erect rabbit proof fences. Mr. Bishop went on to say that he thought a good way for the board to get rid of the rabbits, would be to out the unemployed to work and charge the cost against the settlers.
P.M.' warned Mr. Bishop to be careful about what he was suggesting. The board already had power
to eradicate' the rabbits on farms and charge 'such cost against the settlers concerned. It may prove very expensive. Fined 10/ and £3/2/ costs, or 8 days light labor. Mr. Bishop remarked that if it was only light labor, he might take' it out as it was hard to find the cash before next rice harvest.
Mrs. Bishop had something to say about that. 'I want him home to do the work. We cannot afford the fine, but the work will have to be done,' Spoke the good lady from the floor of the court. Four months were allowed to pay, so Mr. Bishop went out with his wife, hoping that the rice harvest will enable him to fence the rabbits out before the inspector's next visit.
William Albert Johnson did not put in an appearance, but pleaded guilty per an' affidavit. He stated that it was only a new farm, and he had to give most of his time to putting in a rice crop and getting the wheat crop off. The inspector said that on the 230 acres complained of, he saw 16 active burrows and warrens and 100 rabbits. Fined £1 and £3/2/ costs.
Frank Cliff had 17 active, burrows and warrens and 80 rabbits on a 98 acre holding. He was fined £1 and £3/2/ costs.
James Vincent Mclnness and Clarence Sturgess ' Taylor, were each fined £1 and £3/2/ costs.
All of the above defendants accepted the solicitor's suggestion to forward a written affidavit to the court, setting out their plea, and if guilty, mentioning any mitigating circumstances.
Horace Philip Barton, did not turn up to the court, neither had he responded to the P.P. Board's solicitor's suggestion. The case had to be heard ex parte, and he was mulct in the expenses of the necessary witnesses. He was fined £1 with £6/6/ costs, or 15 days hard labor.
Francis Synod forwarded a plea of not guilty, but did not put in an appearance. He was fined £1 and £3/7/ costs.