LAUNCH OWNER FINED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 113, 22 February 1941, Page 2

LAUNCH OWNER FINED

SHIPPING REGULATIONS - BROKEN (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, February 21. The ‘owner of a fishing-boat, which he operates single-handed, D. H. Whitelaw, who has caused warning shots to be fired from the battery at North Head more than once since the outbreak of the war, appeared in the Magistrate’s Cofirt to-day to plead guilty to a breach of the Shipping Control Emergency Regulations. - ‘ Mr R. Meredith, prosecuting on behalf of the nayai authorities, said that Whitelaw had anchored the launch in a prohibited area in Rangitoto Channel. The examination boat went over, biit Whitelaw refused to shift. A shot was fired and the examination vessel again went out to the launch. Whitelaw, from his dinghy, cut the tow line when his launch was taken in tow by the examination, vessel. Eventually, an armed guard went out and brought Whitelaw to the naval base. Mr Meredith added that Whitelaw had given the authorities trouble on seven occasions. He had been fired on several times, but that seemed to make little difference. ’ : Whitelaw, in a long statement to the Magistrate (Mr J. Molding, S.M.) said that he had never intended to defy or disobey the regulations. “The regulations must be obeyed,’ said the Magistrate, in fining Whitelaw £lO and warning him that any further trouble would he severely dealt with.