MINER'S ESCAPADE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 47, 9 February 1945, Page 5

MINER'S ESCAPADE

FISHING NET DAMAGED

J NCI DENT AT MAT ATA

Frederick Roland Wardrop # a miner of pleaded guilty in the Whakatane Court before Mr E. L. Walton S.M. » » last Tuesday to a charge of wilfully damaging a fishing net at Matata on, January 19 last. The net, which was valued at £14 was the property of B. Chaytor. Sergeant Farrell ijrosecuting ) said that the accused with a mate had come to Matata for his Christmas holidays and lived with the Maoris. Having a desire to do some fishing ? Wardrop entered the shed belonging to Chaytor and helped himself to a full length fishing net. As the net was too long for his purpose lie wilfully cut it in half and ruined it from the point of view of commercial fishing. As the owner was dependant on the netting of fish for his living his loss Avas a Very severe one. Accused was a returned man from the Pacific battle area who had been manpowered to the coal mine. He had expressed willingness to make restitution and if given a chance would probably make good.

Asked if he had anything to Wardrop said that he had borrowed the net without seeking leave and had foolishly cut it without, realising the damage he was doing to it.

The Magistrate ordered full restitution to be made and ordered accused to come up for sentence if called upon to do so within the next twelve months,