SWANS TAKEN ILLEGALLY

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27706, 9 July 1955, Page 2

SWANS TAKEN ILLEGALLY

BIRDS KILLED IN SANCTUARY “The Press” Special Service HAMILTON, July 8. Bertram Kalma, aged 40. a manager, of Hamilton, described as an active member of the Dutch underground resistance movement during’ the war. was fined £2 in the Magistrate’s Court at Hamilton when b® admitted taking two wild swans from the Hamiltor Lake. Charges against him of taking swans without a licence and tak ing game by means other than shooting with a shotgun were withdrawn Appearing for the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, Mr E. D. Mears said that a wfman visitor to the lake domain on May 26 saw Kalma enter the domain kiosk with two dead swans. She reported the matter to the chief society ranger. Kalma was manager of the kiosk and the swans were later found in his refrigerator. The offence was viewed seriously, as the birds on the lake, a wild life refuge, gave a great deal of pleasure to visitors. For the. defence, Mr N. I. Smith said that Kalma took the birds in all good faith. When he became manager of the kiosk, he had understood from his employers that it was in order to take an occasional swan. This belief was reinforced by the fact that he had caught one of the geese at the lake under the eyes of the park superintendent, cooked it. and presented it to the superintendent. He took the swans in broad daylight.

The incident had lost Kalma his job and the flat in Hamilton which he occupied with his family.

Before fining the defendant, Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., asked what the minimum penalty for the offence was.