MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1933, Page 7

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

FISHING REGULATIONS BREACH

TWO CHARGES ARE. SUSTAINED

In the Hokitika Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., the Inspector of Fisheries (Sgt. U. J. King) proceeded against George Biddington, charging him that, within the tidal waters of the Teremakau river hp did use a set net within two chains of another set net and with constructing a trench without first, obtaining the approval of the inspector.

Defendant pleaded not guilty to each charge. The inspector said this was the third or fourth time the case had cropped

up. Certain technical objections last court day had been upheld and there was nothing left for him but to amend the charges, and overcome the technicalities. Unless soniething is arrived at the same difficulties. will arise next year. That was the sole object of the amended charges to-day. The evidence in the present case was the same as before except that the inspector brought additional evidence to cover the technicalities.

Evidence was given,by Charles Pierson, who owned the adjoining trench, and he saw, that'defendant had used his trench from September 11 to September 18.

Eric Pierson, another fisherman, said the distance between defendants and his : father’s . trenches was 41 feet. Defendant was convicted and ordered to nay costs on each charge.