POACHERS AT WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1935, Page 12

POACHERS AT WORK

activity viewed seriously. SOCIETY TO TAKE ACTION. Poaching in Taranaki rivers was viewed seriously by license-holders at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society on, Monday night. Although the society has a large number of rangers only one case of poaching was brought before the Court last year. The assistance of license-holders is to be sought in bringing, offenders to book. One of the greatest factors against the. successful detection of offences was the lack of knowledge of the standing of license-holders, it was stated. That poaching and soda bottle exploding were prevalent in the Waiwakaiho, Waiongona and the Mangaoraka Rivers was the consensus of opinion. While instances of poaching were known to be occurring daily, the task of detection was no easy onq. Neighbours did not feel disposed to give evidence against one another, while business men although sympathetic towards the society could not endanger their business relationships by becoming witness at court. The chairman, Mr. W. H. Moyes, said a license-holder had no right to demand to see into the bag of a suspected poacher. If license-holders were prepared to report offences and give evidence the society would place such in the hands of its solicitor. The only solution to the difficulty was the hiring of a paid officer—a procedure the society could not afford. The chairman urged the members to co-operate in the matter and place every facility at the hands of the rangers, who would make determined efforts this year to check the offences. It was mentioned .that half the fine went to the person responsible for a conviction.