ILLEGALLY FISHING FOR WHITEBAIT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3829, 9 August 1928, Page 2

ILLEGALLY FISHING FOR WHITEBAIT.

FINE OF £5 IMPOSED. At the local Courthouse this morning, before Mr. .7. L. Stout, S.M., W. R. Hartley was charged with illegally .fishing for whitebait in the creek at the beach on July 17th. Accused pleaded guilty. Constable Owen said that on the. date in question together with Constable Bell, lie had visited the drain before daylight. At 9 a.m. accused had come along and placed a net in the drain and fished for an hour or so, but without catching much ’bait. Hartley was a resident at the beach and was conversant with the law governing the fishing for whitebait in the drain.

The S.M., in imposing a fine of £5 with costs 10/-, said accused should know that he was not allowed to fish in the creek. OBSTRUCTING THE POLICE.

Arising out of the above case, J. H. Parfitt was charged with obstructing an officer of the Inspector or Fisheries in the execution of his duty.

In evidence Constable Owen said that Parfitt had visited the creek on the morning of the 17th in company with Hartley, and when the latter placed his net in the creek Parfitt had climbed the highest sandhill to watch for the police, but he had overlooked the fact that the police might, have been there earlier. As soon as the raid was made on the crock Parfitt concealed himself in the scrub where he was afterwards located.

A fine of £2 was imposed with costs 10/-.

A month was allowed both accused in which to pay the fines.