TOOK PHEASANT EGGS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 150, 22 March 1934, Page 3

TOOK PHEASANT EGGS

Auckland Man Fined “This is the first case of its kind which the society has taken to Court,” said James Dobson, chief ranger for the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, in the Otahuhu Police Court on Monday, in giving evidence against William Charles Cornelius, charged with being in possession of pheasants’ eggs. Defendant pleaded not guilty. > The ranger stated he had interviewed defendant in Otahuhu after making inquiries last December. In two statements defendant admitted taking 11 pheasant eggs from Southdown on a date in November, and another 12 eggs from Mangere on December 1. Defendant had taken the eggs to his home and placed them under one of his bantam hens. About 20 pheasant chicks had been hatched and were being reared by defendant. 'When told of the serious nature of his offence defendant had given every assistance and had given the society the brood hens when it decided to take the chicks. Witness said the society took a serious view of the offence. Defendant admitted taking the eggs. He was unaware there was any restriction, and it had been his intention to rear the pheasants and sell them to some breeder. He had not attempted to conceal his action and readily handed the chicks to the ranger. The magistrate, Mr. F. H. Levien, imposed a fine of £1 and 20/6 costs, allowing defendant two months to pay.