NETTING WHITEBAIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19470, 28 October 1926, Page 12

NETTING WHITEBAIT.

ILLEGAL METHOD ADOPTED. MEW PLYMOUTH PROSECUTION. CONFISCATION OF NETS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday. Two men, Thomas Clarko and John Cunningham, appeared in the Magistrate's Court charged with using a set net for whitebait within two chains of another set net, with using a race in connection with a set net, and with using more than one set net. The prosecutions were the result of a surprise visit paid by the police and the J Acclimatisation Society's officer to the j Waiwakaiho River, where defendants were found catching whitebait. Mr. R. if. Quilliam, who appeared for Cunningham, said -that without the consent of the Minister of Native Affairs no proceedings could be taken under the regulations against a native or half-caste Maori. There was no doubt aboat defendant being a half-casto Maori, or that he lived with natives, as a translation of the information had been served with the summons, The police admitted that defendant was a native and the information was therefore dismissed without prejudice. Clarke admitted the offence, but said he had no knowledge that he was doing anything wrong. It was pointed out on behalf of the Acclimatisation Society that its object in bringing the prosecution was to prevent the use of races and groynes in the taking of whitebait as their use was prejudicial to the interests of the society and the sport of angling. It was stated that defendant had two nets and a groyne going right out into the river, into which he could chase all the fish, and there was no chance of anything escaping. _ Defendant said he found a groyne in the river and simply made use of it quite innocently, as he had seen other people doing. The magistrate issued a warning to the public generally, stating that while he was prepared to treat defendant leniently, in future heavier penalties would be imposed. He fined defendant £1 on the first charge. On the other charges convictions were recorded and defendant was ordered to pay costs. All nets in excess of one were ordered to be confiscated.