'Dirty dairying' trial adjourned

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A trial alleging Reporoa farmer Glen Walter Crafar was involved in "dirty dairying" has been adjourned for a new date to be set.

Crafar, 28, has elected trial by jury on a charge laid by Environment Bay of Plenty under the Resource Management Act. It claims that between June 2008 and September that year he discharged contaminants on Reporoa land.

The trial was to have begun in the Rotorua District Court on Monday but was delayed until today. After hearing submissions from Crafar and Rotorua Crown prosecutor Fletcher Pilditch relating to the accused's non-representation by legal counsel or a person to advise him in court, Judge Chris McGuire deferred it further.

The matter is to be called again on May 26 with the prospect of it being dealt with in June, or as soon after that as is possible.

Judge McGuire was told that Crafar was to have been assisted by a family friend who was a qualified lawyer but who did not hold a current practicing certificate, however this man had withdrawn, at least until his certificate was renewed.

Describing Crafar as an intelligent man, Judge McGuire told him he needed to obtain help promptly.

Judge McGuire noted Crafar had been declined legal aid previously but told him he was free to reapply if his economic situation had changed.

Mr Pilditch did not oppose the adjournment but said the matter had been before the courts, including Environment Court judges, since March 2009.

He described Crafar as hapless "rather than someone who had adopted a deliberate ploy to frustrate justice".

- NZPA