CYGNETS RAFFLED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 66, 5 April 1937, Page 7

CYGNETS RAFFLED

Young Black Swan Taken Illegally FINES IMP0SED The killing and raffling of six black swan of an age at which they were unable to fly led to the appearance of two men before Mr J. Miller, S.M., in the Napier Magistrate's Court this morning. The Beneh remarked that the young birds were native game and that their death had resulted in a loss to' society. Sergeant G. F. Bonisch stated that the first defendant, William James McCallum, of Bay View, teamster, had been walking across the Ahuriri Lagoon when he found a clutch of six black swan which were unable to fly. With the assistance of liis dog, he caught and killed the birds. The next day they were raffled at Port Ahuriri. Defendant had a book in which peqple were asked to put down their names for the price of sixpence. Although the defendant had destroyed the book when questioned by the police, he said that the proceeds amounted to shillings only. Mr E, H. Robinson, who appeared for the defendant, said that the defendant was in a condition of intoxication when he took the birds, and he admitted that he had done wrong in taking the birds. Defendant was fined £5, with 10/costs, for taking native game during the close season, and £2, with 10/- costs, for conducting an illegal lottery. An order was made that half the first fine should be paid to the person instrumental in securing the conviction, and defendant was allowed two months in which to pay the fine. For taking part in the illegal lottery, Thomas William Humphreys, of Westshore, labourer, was fined £2, with 10/costs, and allowed a month in which to pay the fine.