MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1928, Page 1

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THUSDAY, JULY Ist, 1928. (Before W. Moldrum, Esq., S.M.) LICENSING ACT. For being on licensed premises (Occidental Hotel) an offender was fined £2 and costs 10s. WILFUL DAMAGE. James Wright charged with breaking a pane of glass, the property of Tooliey’s Motors Ltd, did not appear. He was convicted and fined £l, costs 10s, and 7s 6d damage to window.

DEBT CASE. Public Trustee, v. A. 11. Lyes, claim for £282 13s 7d. Judgment for plaintiff with costs £3 2s and counsel’s fee £8 Is. OPOSSUM SKINS SEIZED. Iho police charged John Cantrick (Mr Murdoch) with on 20th June, being illegally in possession of 69 opossum skins. A plea of not guilty was entered. Constable Drummond gave evidence that on 20th June he saw defendant at Lake Kanieri Hotel. Asked him whose skins were hanging in the kitchen of the hotel. Ho said they belonged to Creber who had a license to trap. Creber was engaged in forming a road on the edge of the lake, three miles away. Defendant is not the holder of a license to trap opossums. After interviewing Creber came back and saw defendant and lie admitted the skins belonged to him (defendant), who stated he bought them from two trappers, who caught them out of season, paying 6s 6d each. He said he would take all responsibility. Witness took possession of 69 skins, all dried and none stamped. Defendant denied having trapped any opossums himself. Defendant is not the holder of a, broker’s license.

For the defence Sir Murdoch led the following evidence: Harry Creber gave evidence that he had a license to trap opossums at Lake Kanieri. He sold his skins to M. Houston andi Co. Thirty-three of the skins taken at Lake Kanieri by Constable Drummond belonged to witness. They were caught between 10thand 16th. June. The skins were delivered to Cantrick for M. Houston and Co., who were notified by mail. Witness told Constable Drummond that he had not given any skins away to Cantrick or anyone else. To Sergt. King: He did, not tell the constable that he had sent the skins to- Houston, because he was not asked. He did not give the skins to Cantrick. He sent the skins through Oantricic to Houston. He had 26 skins in his possession at the time of the visit. The other 33 he had sent to Houston‘and Co.

Malcolm Henry Houston gave evidence that he was a, registered opossum broker. Creber’s notification of sending of skins came by post. Cantrick brought a letter from Curtain about three weeks ago, stating he was sending 36 skins. These had not come to hand. Witness was advised that tho skins were seized by Constable Drummond. Cantrick was acting ns a carrier for witness.

John Cantrick gave evidence he lived at- Lake - Kanieri. He was in charge of the launch. The 69 skins that Mr Drummond got came from Creber and Curtain. They were hung in the kitchen of the hotel to keep dry. Ho took the skins to bring to Houston and Co. He got the skins from Creher near his camp and Curtain’s at the head of the lake. He Was 'going to bring the skins to Houston. He denied stating to Constable Drummond that he had purchased the skins for 6s 6d from two men who had got them out of season. , * To Sergt. King: He had the skins 1 for two days. He did not buy th

Skins. He was a caretaker of the fish hatchery. Ho was not a ranger. His Worship said there was no doubt that defendant was acting as agent for the broker, Houston and Co. The consignment notes show clearly that the number of skins seized belonged to the trappers, Creber and Curtain. The case would b© dismissed and an order made for the return of the skins to the owner.

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