FINES AND POACHING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 75, 30 March 1932, Page 9

FINES AND POACHING

SLAUGHTER OF BIRDS

"The prevalence of poaching appears rather on the increase than otherwise, and many- complaints reach the society," writes Captain. E. V. Sanderson, hon. secretary of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society, in the latest "Bulletin." "Something more than the insignificant fines so often, meted out, when an occasional conviction is secured, is necessary. Banging costs a lot of money and nearly all the chances are with-the poacher and against the ranger, who so often thereby fails to catch his quarry. The following extract from a'letter received from Greymouth with reference to inadequate penalties puts . the matterclearly:— "As a member of many years standing of your society,'l should like to draw the attention of your council to th extraordinary inconsistencies in the fines inflicted throughout the Dominion for convictions in the case of shooting protected native birds. Within the past tw.o years fines of twenty and twenty-five pounds have been meted out to destroyers of pigeons in Tavanaki, W.aikaremoana, Southland, and elsewhere, while during the same period the Grey Acclimatisation Society has at great expense brought three offenders to Court, and after conviction the fines were £2, £2, and £1. "The result of small fines and the lack of the efficient administration of the Act is to be found in the following extract from a letter received from Wairoa: 'As a member of your society, I think it is my duty to inform you of the wholesale slaughter of wild duck in this district out of season. I think that in the out-of-season period tho birds should have tho full protection of the law in order to prevent their j total extermination. The Maoris seem to have got hold of a rumour that birds can be shot in any season for food purposes. If something is not done pretty soon, pigeons, tuis, and pukeko will all follow the duck. It came to my knowledge that one Maori shot seventy and another forty the other morning.'.".