THEFT OF FISH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21136, 19 March 1932, Page 14

THEFT OF FISH.

PROSECUTION AT RAGLAN.

[FROM OUR own cohrkspondent. ]

RAGLAN. Friday

In the Raglan Police Court William Campbell and David Campbell were charged with stealing 901b. of flounder and 1101b. of schnapper, of the value of £3 6s Bd, the property of A. J. Bregmen and H. C. Wilkins.

11. C. Wilkins, fisherman, said he and his partner Bregmen were fishing in tho upper reaches of Raglan Harbour on January 16. They bought fish from four Maori "hookers," weighed them and left them in tho boat while they went to attend to their nets. The Maoris went fishing in tho stream. One of tho Maoris came and told him tho fish were being stolen. Witness went to the boat and found tho fish had been disturbed. He weighed tho balance and found the weight short, the weights mentioned in the charge being the weights of the missing fish. A. J. Bregmen and tho four Maoris gave corroborative evidence. The two accused both denied interfering with tho fish. Two Pukemiro miners, who were at the Waingaro Landing when the Campbells arrived, were called by the defence. Both said there were only about 201b. of fish in the Campbells' canoe. Constable O'Sullivan said there was no doubt the fish were dumped into the stream when accused found they had been observed. The ""magistrate, Mr. F. W. Platts, convicted and fined William Campbell £2. and P. Campbell £l. They were ordered to pay cosls and to make restitution of tho value of the fish. Two months were allowed in which to make payment.