Sven Olaf Wiener represented himself in the Launceston Magistrates Court hearing and asked Detective Senior Constable Shaun Cackett for a copy of his notebook, copies or orders from his superiors and whether Google Earth was used before Mr Wiener's house was searched on July 27 last year.

The search, which was prompted by a fraud allegation, allegedly unearthed an eastern snake-neck turtle.

The reptile is classed as restricted under the Nature Conservation Act, and possession of one attracts a minimum $26,000 fine.

It was the third attempt to hear the case made before Magistrate Tim Hill.

The first, held in July, was adjourned because Mr Wiener had injured his hands and could not make notes.

In September the hearing began in his absence and had to be restarted when Mr Wiener arrived 20 minutes later.

He applied to have the hearing adjourned three times yesterday, arguing that the medication he took for a migraine whenever a low-pressure system loomed was affecting his ability to concentrate.

Mr Hill dismissed two applications in the morning due to lack of medical evidence, and was not satisfied with a handwritten medical certificate that Mr Wiener handed in after lunch.

"The cost to the state of these proceedings is enormous. I do not intend to adjourn it today,'' Mr Hill said. Six of the seven prosecution witnesses who had been called in from around the state sat in the waiting room while the extensive cross-examination took place.

Mr Wiener demanded to see supporting documentation to Detective Cacker's evidence, because "I don't really trust my memory''.

His arguments, which included ruling the search warrant unlawful because the handwriting was difficult to read, were challenged by Mr Hill.

"If you continue to delay the proceedings unnecessarily it may get to the stage where I exclude you from the court and hear it in your absence,'' Mr Hill said. "I'm not going to let you chase every rabbit down every hole.''