A WARNING TO OTHERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16571, 2 November 1921, Page 6

A WARNING TO OTHERS.

POACHING AT VICTORIA LAKE. With tho object of making it public that fishing for trout in Victoria Lake, Hagley Park, is prohibited without a special license issued by tlie . North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, a case was brought before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., at tlie Magistrate’s Court this morning. Cornelius Zevern (Mr W. J. Cracroft Wilson) was charged with fishing for trout in Victoria Lake, Hagley Park, without a license, and further with fishing in a close season. Sub-Inspector Simpson said the defendant had caught nine small trout in Victoria Lake on a Sunday morning ancs was found with these trout in his possession. When que&Lioned he stated that he had no idea lie required a license to fish in the lake. The Magistrate asked if Victoria Lake was a protected area. Sub-Inspector Simpson replied that licenses were issued to certain boys to fish in Victoria Lake. Fishing did not commence until November 1, whereas other licenses commenced on October 1. Mr Craoroft Wilson said the defendant was a foreigner and having seen persons fishing at the lake on a previous Sunday he thought lie- would do the same on the following Sunday. The whole thing was done openly on a Sunday morning at about eleven o’clock, and this fact seemed to indicate that defendant acted in ignorance of the law. He understood that the principle object of the prosecution was to warn the public that only persons holding licenses could fish in Victoria Lake, and also that the season did not commence at tlie lake until November 1. The Magistrate said he would impose a fine ot 20s and costs on tlie charge of having taken the trout from the lake without a license. On the other charge the defendant would be convicted and ordered to pay costs. His Worship added that he made the penalty light because he did not look at the case as one of deliberate poaching. Where poaching was deliberate he always made thy penalty severe.