WERE THEY MALLARDS?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25454, 8 February 1944, Page 2

WERE THEY MALLARDS?

DUCKS TAKEN FROM LEITH TWO MEN CHARGED The breed of four ducks, all looking somewhat the worse for wear after having been kept for a fortnight in cool storage, was debated in the City Police Court yesterday, when Denzil Howard Slyfleld, a munitions worker, appeared on a charge of unlawfully killing imported game, and Lindo Muris Gordon Ralston, a slaughterman, was charged with assisting Slyfield in the commission of the offence. Mr C. J. L. White, who appeared for both defendants, said that Slyfield would admit the offence if it could be proved that the ducks were mallards, and therefore came under the definition of imported game. The charge against Slyfield was adjourned until February 14 in order that an expert opinion could be obtained. The hearing of evidence in the case against Ralston was taken. Constable Noel Stanley Turner, of the North Dunedin Police Station, stated that at 10.5 p.m. on January 21 he went to the Leith Stream, between Leith street and Clyde street, where, he found the two defendants. Ralston was leaning on the railing, and Slyfield was just climbing out of the stream carrying a mop handle. On the ground near Ralston were four ducks. Ralston, Constable Turner said, stated that he was “ keeping watch,” although later he denied making the remark. Both the defendants stated that they were looking for suitable places to set eel pots. In evidence, -Ralston denied having taken any part in the capture, of the ducks. He stated that lie had gone at Slyfield’s request to look for suitable places to set eel traps. Mr White said that Ralston’s only purpose in going to the stream had been to advise Slyfield on the setting cf eel pots. There had been some publicity recently concerning the canning of eels, and Slyfield had intended to catch eels in the Leith. Ralston had walked along the bank, but had not gone into the stream. Slyfield had thrown up the ducks just as the constable arrived. Denzil Howard Slyfield stated that Ralston was not keeping watch for him. Witness had seen the ducks, in the grass beside the stream, and had impetuously caught them and wrung their necks. He said there had been no mention of catchtile ducks in earlier conversation with Ralston.

The magistrate said he was not convinced that the men had gone only for the purpose claimed. They had gone at night with only one torch. He accepted the constable’s statement concerning Ralston’s remarks, and considered that Ralston had actually been assisting Slyfield. Mr White said he assumed that it was yet to be proved that Ralston knew that the ducks were mallards, and the magistrate intimated that he would consider the point.