SHOT A BITTERN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 201, 26 July 1926, Page 2

SHOT A BITTERN.

SPORTSMAN’S MISTAKE. A short timo ago a man shot a bittern by mistake on the AVaiau, and, being an honourable man, he sent the bird to the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, with a letter explaining the circumstances. Ho was prosecuted, and a conviction was entered against him, states the Christchurch Press. At a meeting of the council of the society, Mr P. J. Molloy made reference to the incident, and strongly criticised the society’s action. “I wish to protest against that very mean prosecution,” he said. “The man owned up to the mistake, and sent the bird to the society, yet they had him prosecuted. A conviction was entered against him, and that is a stigma. If ever there was a case that should have come before the council for consideration, it is that one. We are all i n it—l am in it—and I intend to write to him expressing my regret that the step was taken. There does not seem to be much honour about it. I do not blame the lawyer. Very few men would turn down £1 Is for five minutes’ work. I wouldn’t myself. AVe are looking for trouble, that’s all. It’s no wonder that people are getting dissatisfied, and saying that reforms in our prosecutions are badly needed. I think they are myself.” The secretary, Mr C. W. Hervcy, explained that the case was given very careful consideration when it went before the committee, and in accordance wih their practice it was decided to proseeflte without pressing for a penalty, so that it would be a -warning to others. , ... Mr S. F. Barnett, a member of the committee, said that they could not draw the line. He thought that the man was quite honest, but others might make the same excuse that they had made a mistake. The committee was only doing its duty in. protecting fishing and shooting.