POACHERS’ GEAR

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1933, Page 8

POACHERS’ GEAR

COLLECTION AT ROTORUA

FORMIDABLE SPEARS.

An extensive armoury is accumulating in the storehouse of the Internal Affairs Department at Rotorua .as a result, of.'.the,' activities of the, department’s rangers against trout poachers, the conservator, of fish and game, Mr A. Kean, ,is holding no fewer than eight formidable:'spears,.together with other impedimenta used by various poaching Parties which have, come under , the notice, of v his officers.

The'. < spears Tange, from 12ft to 4ft in length, with a varied /array of prongs and distinct originality in design. One of. the smallest, but possibly one of .the most .effective, of the .weapons.; ds ; a six-pronged wire fork, the ‘prong spread fanwise to, cover a length of nearly 2ft, and with -e'ach prong hooked at the end. The implement, forms a scoop capable of removing tlie largest hssli from the water with one twist

Tlie majority of the spears are converted hay forks,- says the Rotorua “Morning Post*” hut some* .have,been reduced-to ones, prong and others increased to four, according to the sporting tastes of .their - .owners.. In addition, there is an ingeniously constructed -poachers’ torch manufactured from half a motor tyre cover .tied, on the end of a long stick. The rubber, when lighted makes an excellent, flare.