PICKING OYSTERS AT RANGITOTO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12861, 9 May 1905, Page 7

PICKING OYSTERS AT RANGITOTO.

WOMAN FIXED.

A KESTAUit.o.T-REKPi-R, Jane Wheeler, was charged yesterday at the Police Court with having taken oysters from Rangitoto Island. Mr. .Mays, who appeared for the prosecution, said the fisheries inspector went down to Rangitoto Island on Saturday and found the defendant picking oysters. She also had a can half full of them. The inspector took the can from her, but when he asked her for the opener she threw it into the water. She gave the inspector a wrong name. The beds at Rangitoto were not open, and had not been open since 1900. Notices were posted all over tt.e island warning people against taking oysters. The defendant had been arrested, but had been bailed out for £20. James Bennett,, inspector of fisheries, corroborated Mr. Mays' statement. There was no appearance of the defendant. The magistrate inflicted a fine of £5 and costs.

After the case had been heard Mr. Ltindon said the defendant had been out at the door, but had not heard the case called. Ho applied and obtained leave for a rehearing-. Mr. Lundon said his client went with a party to Rangitoto, and .she collected some oysters for a stew. A man came along and caught her by tho arm and took the can away. The defendant did not tell her who he way until later, when she submitted, and he arrested her.

The defendant, on oath, bore out her counsel's statement. She said she thought the gulf was open for oyster fishing. In answer to Mr. Mays the witness said that she did not see in the papers that the gulf would not- be opened. A fishermar named Keliy said he had told the defendant last Thursday that the gulf was open. The magistrate said be thought the defendant was picking the oysters not to sell, but to oat oh the spot, and lie reduced the fine to £1 and costs. *»