THE COURTS

Western Star, 3 December 1935, Page 2

THE COURTS

SITTING AT RIVERTON. (Before Mr Freeman S.M.) —Wardens- —■ Round Hill Mining Co., application, for amalgamation of two special claims at Round Hill.—Granted, British Development Co., two prospecting licenses situated in blk. 5 and 2 Longwood. Adjourned to February. —Magistrates. — Three young men were charged with doimr damage to the tennis courts at The Pocks on 3rd November. Constable Fraser said the accused pleaded guilty and had paid the damage amounting to £l. There had been complaints about damage being done to property at The Rocks Each was fined £1 and court costs, and cost of repairs to fence. —Taking Of Opossums. — H Pope wa s charged with taking opossums at Longwood on 22nd August without a license. Defendant pleaded guilty but stated that he was assisting Mr Shaw, who owned the property and had a permit to trap. Mr E. Russell said a man having a license to take opossums could not transfer it to another person. Fined £l, court costs 10s, and solicitor’s fee £1 11s 6d. —Unlawful Taking Of Trout. — E Duncan, ranger for Southland Acclimatisation Society, proceeded against Jno Sterling and T. Bulman for having trout in their possession. Mr E. Russell appeared for the Society and stated that defendants were engaged in netting at the mouth of the estuary on 22nd October. The ranger was watching them and he noticed Sterling leave the boat and walk up the bank. Later on th© ranger found two | fish at this place. When accosted SterI ling and Bulman denied taking any: trout.

E. Duncan, ranger, gave evidence iri regard to the action s of Bulman and Sterling, who were carrying out netting operations He saw Sterling leave the boat and walk up the bank, ..Later hd searched the spot and found two trout in the grass. In reply to r Patrick who appeared for defendants witness stated he saw three other boats out on tile estuary. He saw Stirling leave the boat and go up the bank. The other fishermen were "shing near fh» bar The fish had apparuntly been lying in the grass for about -> quarter of an hour

Win Templeton, ranger corroborated '-.lie evidence given by Duncan, Stirling went up the bank and walked to within twelve feet of the witnesses who were sitt.inrr in the tussocks. T. Bulman defendant said, it was during the first haul that they were accosted bv the r'l lives.

To Mr P.ussa'll: The night, was very dark with ■" drizzlin' l - rain. -f. Stirling. said he certain!v walked up the beach but- h/ad no trout in bis possession. Thev had only one drag of the net when accosted by the rangers

The Magistrate stated there was no doubt that Stirling had trout. It was questionable whether Bulinnn was aware of th e fact and would be given the benefit of the doubt. Stirling would be fined £3. costs 10s., solicitors fee £2 2s.