WERE THEY MALLARDS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 52, 25 February 1944, Page 2

WERE THEY MALLARDS

DUCKS TAKEN FROM LEITH

two MKX CHARGED IX DUNKDiIN Tim breed of four ducks, all looking somewliat the worse Tor wear after having been kept for a fortnight in cool .storage, was; debated in the. Dunedin Police Court recently, when Dcnzil Howard Sly field, a munitions worker, appeared on a charge of. unlawfully killing imported game, and Lindo Muris Cordon Ralston, a slaughterman, was charged with assisting Slyfield in the commission of the offence. Mr C. J. 1.. White,who appeared for both defendants, said that Slyfield would admit the offence if it could be proved that the ducks were mallards, and therefore came under the definition ol' imported game. The charge, against Slyfield was adjourned in order that an expert opinion could be obtained,. The hearing of evidence in the case against Ralston was taken. Constable Noel Stanley Turner, of the North Dunedin Police Station, stated that at 10.5 p.m. on January 21 lie went to the JLcith Stream, between Leith .sLreet and Glyde street, where lie found the two defendants. Aialston was leaning on the railing' and Slylield was just climbing out of the stream carrying a mop handle. On the ground neai Ralston were four (lurks. Ralston. Constable Turner said, slated that he was "keeping watch," although later he denied making the icnnuk. i

•Both the defendants stilted ' that they were looking' lor suitable places to set eel pots. In evidence., Ralston denied having taken any part in the capture ol' the ducks. He stated that he had gone at Slyfield's request, to look for suitable places to set eel traps. Mr White said that Rals tone's, only purpo.se in going to the stream had. been to advise Slyfield on the setting of eel pots. There had been some publicity recently concerning the canning of eels, and, Slyfield had intended to catch eels in the Leith. Hals ton had walked along the bank, but had not gone, into the stream. Slyfield had thrown up the ducks just as the constable arrived. Denzil Howard Slyfield stated that Ralston, was' not keeping watch lor Mm. Witness had seen the ducks in the grass beside the stream, and had impetuously caught tlicm and wrung their necks. He said there had been no mention of catching the ducks in earlier conversation with Ralston. The magistrate that he was convinced that the men had gone only for the purpose claimed. They had gone at night with only one torch. He accepted the constable's) statement concerning Ralston's remarks and considered that Ralston had actually been assisting Slyfield. Mr White said he assumed that it was yet to> be proved that Ralston knew that the ducks were mallards and the magistrate intimated Dial he would consider the point.