OPOSSUM SKINS PURCHASES

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 28

OPOSSUM SKINS PURCHASES

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS. In the Police Court on the 16th what Subinspector Eccles thought was the first case of the kind in New Zealand was brought against Edward Kcnnnelly, who was charged with three breaches of the general regulations under part 3 of the Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22, restricting opossums. It was explained by (he Sub-inspector that Kenneily, who was employed -by Messrs Irvine and Co., had gone to Owaka on June 12 and had purchased 56 skins from J. Campbell, 52 from D. Neil, and 242 from Percy Hill without the skins beingaccompanied by the prescribed statement and certificate specifying their number and nature and certifying that they were obtained from animals taken and killed in a district for which an open season prevailed at the time. Kenneily had not complied with the Act until ho ivas interviewed by the police, but he then immediately forwarded the certificate, lie had been very frank about the matter. The regulations came into force in May last year, and the end of the Acclimatisation Society and the police would be served by the matter being brought under the notice of the public. The idea of the legislation was to enable the detection to be made of those illegally in possession of skins. Mr Patterson, who appeared for defendant, said that Kenneily had been out of town a good deal and had probably not had an opportunity to see the regulations. He had been perfectly frank about (he matter and bad made no attempt to evade payment of the royalty. Sub-inspector Eccles said lie was informed (hat the royalty had not yet been paid, and the Magistrate asked Mr Patterson why the royalty had not been paid straight away. Mr Patterson said that he had not been advised on that point. The Magistrate: It seems to me that the defendant "almost laid himself open to being illegally in possession of skins. However, as this is the first prosecution of the kind, and as it is brought mainly with the purpose of securing publicity for the regulations, light penalties will be imposed. Defendant was fined 20s and costs (7s) on the charge connected with the purchase of 242 skins and 10s and costs on each of the other two charges