Opossums Taken From Feilding Reserve

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7242, 23 August 1933, Page 3

Opossums Taken From Feilding Reserve

OFENDER 1 HAS TRAPS AND SKINS CONFISCATED The fact, that opossums were taken from the vicinity of the reserve known as Kitchener Park, on the Awahuri road, just outside the Borough of Feilding, was not disputed by Michael Murphy when charged at the Feilding Magistrate’s Court yesterday with taking and killing opossums in a protected area. Sergeant Angland stated that the reserve was in the district controlled by the Feilding Acclimatisation Society, and the taking of opossums in that area was prohibited. In consequence of information received tbe police visited the locality and found 37 traps and in them eight opossums. The animals were absolutely protected in the Feilding district.

I For the defendant Mr J. A. McLeavcy said that Murphy had been trapping opossums for five years and had not previously been in trouble. He had obtained a license to trap in a certain section of the Wellington Acclimatisation’s district and was unaware 'that the Feilding district intervened. In fact defendant had assured counsel that lie had not heard of a Feilding district. Counsel reminded the Court that defendant would lose a considerable sum by the confiscation of the traps by the police, and being a relief worker it would prove a serious loss to him. He asked that these points be taken into consideration when the Court was fixing a penalty. The Magistrate, Mr R. M. "Watson, S.M., agreed that these points should be taken into account and he would also give defendant credit for being in possession of a license. He was liable to a fine of £IOO for trapping in a scenic reserve. Taking all tho facts into consideration his Worship thought that a fine of £3 and costs would meet the case. In addition an order would be made for the confiscation of the traps and the eight skins.