CATTLE-STARVING.

A SWALEDALE FARMER FINED.

At Richmond on Saturday, a Swaledale farmer named James Thwaites, of Gunnerside, was charged by Inspector Cape, of the S.P.C.A., with cruelty to his stock.—Mr T. M. Barron, of Darlington prosecuted.—From information received the Inspector proceeded to defendant's farm on the 5th of April, and learnt that defendant had lost several beasts in the course of the past few months, and at the time of his visit he found one beast dead upon the premises. A post-mortem examination was made, which disclosed the fact that the poor animal had been suffering from the effects of hunger, and had died from dropsy and inflammation of the stomach. Defendant had actually been advertising and selling his hay and starving his own stock. — Mr Stevens, veterinary surgeon, of Darlington, and Mr Clarkson, veterinary surgeon, of Reeth, having given evidence, the Bench imposed a fine of £2, and costs amounting to £3 13s. 1d.