CHARGES AGAINST FISHERMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12328, 21 July 1903, Page 6

CHARGES AGAINST FISHERMEN.

[BY TELEGRAPH. CORRESPONDENT.] Thames', Monday. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. I\. S. Bush, S.M., foiu fishermen, named James Lidgard, Harold Hayward, and Charles and William Taylor, were charged, at the instance of James P. Bennett (inspector of fisheries), with having in their possession on the 7th inst. certain flounders which were under the regulation size of 9in. Mr. E. CI en don appeared for the defendants, who pleaded not guilty. After hearing the evidence His Worship cautioned the defendants, but said that if they were prepared to pay the costs of the prosecution between them lie would dismiss the informations. This was agreed to, Lidgard and Hayward paying 27s and the two Taylors 18s. A charge preferred against Lidgar and Hayward, of having, on the same date, "'stalled" fish with their nets whilst .fishing on the Piako mud flats, was also gone into, defendants pleading not guilty: but in this case the magistrate deferred his decision until August 3 next. In connection with this case the boat and nets belonging to the defendants were confiscated by the inspector, but the magistrate, when adjourning his decision, stated that if the power had been in his hands he would have ordered the return of the boat and nets. The inspector then said that after such a remark from the Bench he would recommend to the proper authority that the boat and nets should be returned.