SET NETS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19144, 29 October 1927, Page 6

SET NETS.

i WHITEBAIT FISHERMEN PROSECUTED. [THE PBEBS Special Berries.] DUNEDIN, October 28. Leslie Orossan, Richard Crosaan, John Hardy, Duncan Mcßae, Gordon Mcßae, Donald Cameron, and Benjamin <Overton were each charged at the Police Court to-day with, at the Taieri river, using a set whitebait net. They pleaded not guilty. Inspector Pellett said that Cameron had four nets set, the Crossans two, and the others one each. Each of them pleaded that they did not know they were committing a breach of the regulations. Constable Southgate admitted that he himself had been under the impression that no offence had been committed so far as the class of net was concerned. Witness was sure that the defendants had acted honestly. After hearing evidtence the Magistrate said that the defendants seemed to be quite unaware of what the regulations really were, and he accepted their statements to that effect. It was a pity, said his Worship, that proper notice had not been given before the prosecutions had been launched. The charges against Richard Crossan and Overton would be dismissed. Inspector Pellett said the Department was not asking for a penalty to be inflicted except in the case of Cameron, whose breach had been of a flagrant kind. The Magistrate pointed out that a minimum penalty of £1 was provided for, and suggested that the charges against Leslie Crossan, Hardy, and the Mcßaes be withdrawn. The Inspector agreed to this, stating that the object of the prosecution was to stop the practice in which defendants had been indulging. In answer to the Bench the defendant Cameron said he had a family of six and was not in good circumstances. Cameron was fined 20s with costs (10s), the Magistrate warning all the dtefendants against committing any breach of the Act.