ON THE TRAIL OF POACHERS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 30 April 1934, Page 7

ON THE TRAIL OF POACHERS

ACCLIMATISATION ACTIVITIES GO-OPERATION OF POLICE' The evils of poaching have, within the last few days, been brought very forcibly before the council of the E\awera Aeclimatisaton Society. The council has not turned a blind eye to the activities of the poaching fraternity in the past-, but the securing of tlie evidence necessary to obtain a conviction has been a very difficult matter and one which has been a source of trouble to the council for a number of years. In the course of conversation with the president (Mr B. 0. Bennett), a representative of the “Hawera Star” learned to-day that steps have bqen taken to secure the closest co-opera-tion of the police and rangers throughout the district to stamp out the evil. Property owners, too, have been approached by the society.and, in every case, have agreed to use every endeavour to assist. _ The society is offering a substantial reward for information lending to a conviction for poaching and wishes to impress upon the public that the giving of such information is the duty of • every right-minded citizen who is able to assist. In other countries the shooting of game out of season, or without the necessary license during the season, is dealt with very severely by the courts and a heavy penalty will be pressed for by the society in any cases which come before the courts m its district. Unless the evd can be overcome the rights of both the shooting and fishing licensees will be seri/ouslv menaced and the excellent woik ~4 of acclimatisation societies throughout country for a number of years mu be brought to nought.