SPORTSMAN PROSECUTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21498, 23 May 1933, Page 8

SPORTSMAN PROSECUTED

FHEASANT ILLEGALLY SHOT USE OF MOTOR-CYCLE [by telegraph OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Monday An unusual case, the first of its kind in the district, was 'brought in the Police Court this morning by the Wliangarei Acclimatisation Society against Clifford Payne, who was charged with shooting a pheasant from a motor-cycle. A charge of discharging a firearm on a public road was dismissed. Mr. J. F. S. Briggs, for the society, said the defendant had previously been warned against shooting from his cycle. Tho charge was laid under the Animals Protection Act which provided that no person should use or cause to be used any motor vehicle in connection with the taking or killing of game, provided that this condition should not bo so construed as to prohibit the use of any motor vehicle for the purpose of travelling to or from a rendezvous. "Mr. Briggs said ho interpreted the regulation to mean that anyone who was driving along tho road and, seeing a game bird, stopped and shot it was contravening tho regulations. In this instance the defendant shot a pheasant from astride his cycle., " This regulation is not as well known as it might be," said Mr. G. N. Morris, S.M., ".and deserves publicity. In any case the Public Works Act makes it definite that a man must not shoot from the road." A fine of 30s and costs was imposed.