FERN-STEALING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5733, 31 October 1905, Page 3

FERN-STEALING.

TWO MEN CONVICTED. George Henry Hunt and John Lewis Rees were charged at the City Police Court yesterday with the theft of three bundles of ferns, valued at 30s, the property of the Hon C. J. Johnston, at Karon on the 15th inst. Mr Wilford, who appeared for accused, said it had never been understood —except by these who knew the ■law—that it was wrong for people to go into bush where fire had been through, or where cattle had roamed at free-will, and pluck ferns. The place in question was about a mile from Mr Johnston’s house. Accused had obtained supplejacks and made baskets, in which the ferns were placed, and afterwards hawked through the city. Mr H. Johnston, who represented complainant, said his client would not press for a penalty, but ho wanted the practice of taking ferns stopped. The men had been warned more than once. They went to the paddock very early in the morning and sometimes at night, and carried on a regular fern business in town. Sub-Inspector O’Donovan said accused earned out fern-procuring in a systematic manner. They had a number of signals for warning each other in case they were watched. Rees had been several times previously convicted. Dr McArthur said it was only on account of complainant not pressing that ho would deal leniently with the men—especially Rees. If they or anybody else came before him on a similar charge he would inflict the maximum penalty. He convicted and discharged both men, saying, “Get your ferns in any honest and upright way in future, and good luck to you in the sale of them.”