SHOT NATIVE PIGEONS AND OBSTRUCTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 92, 6 September 1950, Page 5

SHOT NATIVE PIGEONS AND OBSTRUCTED

Having had possession of a native pigeon, having shot pigeons and having obstructed a ranger were charges brought against Wattie Stevens in the Whakatane Court yesterday.

At the beginning of the case, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. Mr B. S. Barry represented him. For the Acclimatisation Society, it was said that at 8.30 a.m. on May 27 a farmer of Taneatua, Mr Reeve, an honorary ranger,' heard shots on his property and found Stevens plucking a native pigeon. His gun was confiscated. Later, interviewed, he allegedly admitted the shooting but refused to hand over the birds shot. ;•

A. A. Reeve gave evidence accordingly. He said he saw Stevens with a pigeon which he refused to hand over and placed into his shirt. Among other offers, said Reeve, was one of £2O made by Stevens for him to drop the case. To Mr Barry Reeve said that he saw Stevens in the bush where there were pigeons. He walked

right up on to Stevens. E. Francis, a ranger stationed at Whakatane, said that he had gone with Reeve to see Stevens, who had said that he had shot pigeons. He refused to hand them over, saying “No pigeons, no evidence.” All that accused had done to obstruct was to refuse to hand over the birds, said Mr Barry, when he said that Stevens would change his plea on the charge of taking Obstruction was proved, Mr Walton, S.M., considered. Stevens was fined £5 and costs each on the charges of taking and possessing and the minimum fine of £lO for obstruction.