RIVERTON COURT

Southland Times, Issue 22497, 6 December 1934, Page 13

RIVERTON COURT

MONTHLY SITTING. (From Our Correspondent.) The monthly sitting of the Riverton Court, held on Tuesday, was presided over by Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M. and Warden. Mining Applications. British Development, Ltd., applied for a water race of 60 heads, Waimeamea stream. —Adjourned to February 5. Frank Moore applied for an ordinary prospecting license, 100 acres, Preservation Inlet.—Recommended. Pollard Bros, applied for a special alluvial claim, 28 acres, Round Hill—Adjourned till February 5. British Development, Ltd., applied for a water race,? four heads, Cameron’s Creek, Longwood.—Adjourned to February 5. British Development, Ltd., applied for a water race, eight heads, Oraki Creek, Longwood.—Adjourned to February 5. British Developments, Ltd., applied for an ordinary prospecting license, 5 acres, Block V., Longwood.—Adjourned to February 5. G. Hamilton and applied for a water race, two heads, Kowhai CreekGranted. R. T. Horner applied for an ordinary prospecting license, 100 acres, Section 6, Block 14, Waiau district.—Granted. H. M. Horner applied for a prospecting license, 90 acres, Block 14, Waiau. — Granted. Round Hill Gold Mining Company applied for prospecting license, 100 acres, Section 18, Block 10, Round Hill. —Granted. M. Decofsky applied for an extended alluvial claim, Round Hill.—Granted. William H. Perry applied for a prospecting license, 100 acres, Stewart Island.—Granted, conditionally. W. H. Perry applied for a water race, six heads, Fall Creek.—Granted.

E. E. Booth applied for a special alluvial claim, 40 acres, Block 5, Longwood.—Adjourned to February 5. E. E. Booth applied for a special alluvial claim, 100 acres, Section 1, Block 5, Longwood.—Adjourned to February 5.

E. E. Booth applied for a special alluvial claim, 90 acres, Blocks 2 and 5, Longwood.—Adjourned to February 5. E. E. Booth applied for a special alluvial claim, 18 acres, Block 5, Long,wood. —Adjourned to February 5. Kenneth Braid applied for an extended alluvial claim, Orepuki Beach.— Recommended. z

Ao te Roa G. Company applied for an ordinary prospecting license, 78 acres, old Orepuki mine.—Adjourned to February 5. Ao te Roa G.P. Company applied for a prospecting license, 80 acres, Long Beach, Preservation.—Recommended. Ao te Roa G.P. Company applied for a water race, 15 heads, McNamara Creek, Preservation Inlet.—Adjourned to February 5. Civil Cases. Judgment was given for plaintiffs in the following undefended cases.—T. J. Henderson v. B. West for £1 4/-, costs 11/-; A. McPherson v. T. O’Connell for £1 10/8, costs 12/-; Commissioner of Taxes v. A. Thomson £7 19/3, costs 15/-; same v. W. Thomson £7 19/3, costs 15/-; Thomson Bros. v. P. Wadsworth £l3 5/3, costs £2 14/-; Nightcaps Town Board v. J. Magee £1 8/9, costs 8/-; same v. G. Cramond £1 2/-, costs 8/-. Breach of the Licensing Act. The licensee of the Colac Bay Hotel was charged with on September 26 at Colac Bay selling liquor after hours, two, opening premises for sale of liquor; three, supplying liquor; and four, with selling liquor to a person under age. Constable Fraser said that on the date mentioned two youths went to the hotel and asked to be supplied with liquor, and two shandies were given. The licensee, the constable said, had been in possession of the house for the past six years, and had conducted the premises well during that period. That was the first occasion on which the licensee was before the Court. Defendant pleaded guilty to all charges. The Magistrate said in view of the police report he would not endorse the license, but defendant would be fined £5, with 12/- costs on the first charge, £1 on the second, with 10/- costs, £2 and 10/- costs on the third, and £2 and costs 10/- on the fourth. A Seal Skin Case. J. Coulston and F. M. Belsham, Colac Bay, were charged with having seal skins in their possession during a close season. Mr G. Reed appeared for the defendants, and Mr H. J. Macalister for the Commissioner of Fisheries. Mr Reed said that owing to some misunderstanding Coulston was not present. The case had previously been before the Court. Mr Macalister, in outlining the facts of the case, said the defendants had been for some time suspected of taking seals whilst engaged in muttonbirding at the islands. Constable Fraser had interviewed them after their return, and both had made statements, which counsel read, admitting the offence. He called Constable Fraser, who said that in company with Constable Skipworth, he had visited the defendants, who admitted having the skins, and which were handed over to him. Both made statements admitting the offence. Mr Reed said the defendants went annually to the mutton bird islands for the purpose of catching birds, and on this occasion had taken the seals for a change of diet.

F. M. Belsham in the course of his evidence said he was engaged on Solomon Island, while Coulston worked another. He noticed a seal on the shore; he used it for food and brought the skin home. To Mr Macalister: The Maoris bad taken seals on previous occasions whilst at the Mutton Bird Islands. Visitors had put in an appearance on two occasions at the islands. Mr Macalister said the case had been brought forward as a warning to others, as it was difficult to detect offenders.

In fining defendants £2, and ordering them to pay all costs (including £3 3/- solicitor’s fee), the Magistrate stated that heavy fines were laid down for such breaches of the Act. As the Crown had withdrawn the other charges he would let defendants off lightly, and trusted that when Maoris, half-castes and others when engaged on Mutton Bird Islands would leave seals alone for the future.