BREACHES OF FISHERIES ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1038, 2 May 1912, Page 2

BREACHES OF FISHERIES ACT.

DEFENDANTS FINED

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, the Inspector of Fisheries proceeded against George J. Langley, Alfred Batten and William Wood with, on March 14th, being found in possession of undersized flounders, contrary to the provisions of the Fisheries Act. Mr L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, prosecuted on behalf of the Department. William Wood attended, and pleaded guilty. Constable Woods gave evidence to the effect that when served with the summonses the defendants, Langley and Batten, signified their intention of pleading guilty to the charges. Mr Ayson said that on the date in question, in company with constable Woods, he visited the Manawatu Heads and found Langley -ud Battes. nett;a3 tor flounders, in their buat there were 28 flounders, and 15 of these were under the regulation size. The fisheries at the Heads had in the past yielded a large number of flounders, but of late the quantity caught had greatly decreased. This decrease was due, to a verylarge extent, to the fact that undersized fish had been caught. He had visited Foxlou on account ot information received as to the unlawful practice ot the fishermen. According to the regulations, it would have been quite within his power to have seized the boats and all other apparatus used by the deleudauls, but he did not do so on this occasion. In reference to the defendant, Wood, information had been supplied him to the effect that he had been netting flounders that day, and he (Mr Ayson) went to Wood’s house and asked him to produce the flounders in bis possession, which he did. There were fifteen flounders, eight of which were undersized.

The Magistrate said this was the first case of its kind in Foxton, and he took it that the Department did not wish to be too severe. Each defendant was fined the minimum amount allowed by law, £l, with costs of 15s qd each.