TAPANUI NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21022, 10 May 1930, Page 20

TAPANUI NOTES.

(Fbom Odb Own Corbe.spondent. ) TAPANUI Mny 8. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. Before Mr O. J. Dixon, S.M., on Wednesday James Aitchison and Ivan Gordon were charged with shooting and spearing trout on the Pomahaka River on March 2. Mr Li. J. 0. Arthur appeared ior the defendants ind entered a plea of guilty.— Ex-Ranger Pellett stated that, accompanied by Sergeant Packer and Constable Blnmires, he went to the fepylhw on March 2 for the purpose of watching for poachers.—The two defendants were found

in the fishermeu’b hut and were asked if they had any trout in their possession, to which they answered ” No.” Under the table was a bag containing wo trouv, which the defendants said did aot belong to them, but to others who wen also using the nut. In the hut were ound the rifle, spear, and carbide lamps, produced. The trout found in the hut hao speai marks. He asked that a severe penalty be inflicted, for it was very diffi cull to catch’ poachers. Numerous letters had been sent to the Acclimatisation Society complaining that poachers got most of the big fish from the Upper Fomahaka. He had paid quite a number of visits to this pan of the river without catching anybody previously A lot of poaching went on at this part of the river where the big fish were.—Mr Arthur for defendants stated that they were the advance members of a deer-stalking party and put in a night at the fishermen’s hut. am were tempted to spear two trout which they intended to cook for break fast. He submitted that they were not orranised tor poaching and asked that a small fine would meet the case and at the same time give publicity to the matter —Both men were convicted for spearing trout and fined £5 (costs 12s), and ordered to pay £7 4s witness’s expenses between them. James Aitchison was also charged with being in possession of a firearm on March 2 without a license. t He entered .. plea of guilty and stated" that the rifle was a borrowed one and registered, but not by him.—Convicted and ordered to pay costs (12s). James M’Kenzie, who failed to appear, was charged by the borough inspector with exceeding the speed limit in Tapanui on April_ 4.—The inspectoj gave evidence and stated that the defendant rode through Tapanui on his motor at about 7,45 p.m. at about 45 miles per hour. He had on several occasions warned M’Kenzie without effect.—The defendant was convicted and fined £3 and costs (10s). Charles Beckard, of Conical Hill, was charged by Inspector G. D. Shand with failing to destroy rabbits on bis property He pleaded guilty and stated that at the time he was warned to destroy rabbits he was unable to spare the time and could not afford to employ assistance.—Con victed and fined £1 and costs ,12s). _ James Mills, of Conical Hill, was similarly charged He pleaded guilty, and Mr Arthur appeared for him.—lnspector Shand, said that 300 acres out of 498 were badly affected and on his last in speetion on April 28 a.considerable number of rabbits had been destroyed, but the property was still badly affected.— Inspector George' Reid (Balclutba) gave evidence corroborating that of the previous witness.—The detenaant gave evidence that shortly after receiving the notice from Inspector Shand he procured poison and had continually trapped the property and caught approximately 1200 rabbits. He was financially unable to employ labour, and added that the attitude taken up by Inspector Shand was that “ if you cannot afford to employ labour then you should get off the property.” In answer tu Inspector Shand he admitted that there were a good many rabbits on the property. The weight of pollard laid was 281 b and Sped 30s and costs (12s). .Judgment by default was given in the following cases;—E. Jones (Mr Naylor) v. J. A. Finn, claim £7 6s 9d, with costs (£1 10s 6d) ; H. N, Johnston (Mr Nay lor) v. Victor Ferguson, claim £7 15a 6d with costa (£1 Hs 6d.) ; R. P. Sim (M. Arthur) v. L. Rooney, claim £2 12s 6rt. with costa (£1 3s 6d) ; Wylie Bros (Mi Naylor) v. Joseph Wilson, claim £5 8s 2d,’with costs (£1 14s 6q(). F. Sim^ of Heriot, was granted a renewal of his land agent’s license on the application of Mr Arthur.