COCK PHEASANT SHOT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 14

COCK PHEASANT SHOT.

OFFENCE AT REMUERA.

PENALTY OF FIVE POUNDS.

The shooting of a cock pheasant during tho close season resulted in a prosecution by tho Acclimatisation Society {Mr. West) against J. Gould (Mr. Kealy) in the Police Court yesterday. Gould, who pleaded guilty, was fined £5 and costs.

Mr. West said that tho offence was worso than usual, as it was committed in tho city, on tho northern slopes of Romuera. The bird was shot under tho windows of Mr. Justice Ostler's place and accused had admitted the offence. Sportsmen throughout New Zealand felt keenly about it, and tho residents themselves did not like to see the birds go. It had been said by accused that tho bird had been damaging his garden, but had this been so the society would have had the bird destroyed upon the complaint being laid. The society regarded it as a partiqularly bad case, and there was no reason why the maximum penalty should not be imposed. Mr. Kealy said that thero had been no premeditated breach of the Act. Tho bird was thought by defendant to have boon destroying his garden and he took the gun and shot it on the spur of tho moment. Counsel submitted that a light penalty would fully meet tho case.