OYSTER LAWS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 115, 20 June 1914, Page 12

OYSTER LAWS.

FINE FOR BREACH. Press A ssociation. AUCKLAND, June 19. A deputation waited on the Prime Minister this afternoon in connection with the case of the yacht Rawene, upon which a fine of £SO was imposed because of a breach of the law affecting oysters. Mr J. 11. Bradney, M.P., in introducing the deputation (from the Motor Boat Association), said that it was intended to ask for an amendment of the law relating to the protection of oysters. Mr Ernest Davis said that the immediate desire of the deputaon was to secure justice for the owner of the Rawene and to prevent anyone else from being placed in a similar position \ when he was not responsible for the breach. It was also desired that the Government should consider the wisdom of placing restrictions on oysters only at certain seasons of the year, as was done with game. The Prime Minister, in reply, said that as yachtsmen they must recognise that if the oyster beds of Auckland harbour were to be protected the law must be stringent. On the other hand, he believed from what he had heard that Mr Gifford had suffered an undue hardship. Personally he believed that the law on the subject should be so amended that, while sufficiently protecting the oyster beds, there would be no possibility of a repetition of the hardship inflicted on Mr Gifford. He proposed to recommend that amendment to his colleagues.