LAW AMENDMENT SOUGHT

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 6

LAW AMENDMENT SOUGHT

SEQUEL TO RECENT

COURT CASE

CHARGES OF ATTEMPTING TO TAKE GAME

A case which came before the Magistrate’s Court in Invercargill in July in which two men were charged with attempting to take or kill grey duck at Hedgehope was the subject of a report presented to the executive of the Southland Acclimatization Society by the society’s solicitor (Mr Eustace Russell) at its meeting last night. The society’s ranger had laid the informations against the men.

After detailing the facts of the case, Mr Russell said that a novel point of law had been raised by the defendants’ counsel (Mr T. V. Mahoney), and the Magistrate reserved his decision and asked for written arguments to be submitted. In his reserved judgment, the Magistrate had upheld Mr Mahoney’s argument, and finding that no offence had been proved had dismissed the case. It was, he thought, the first occasion on which a decision had been given on the matter.

The chairman (Mr S. M. Macalister) said it was extraordinary that a man without a licence could not be charged with attempting to kill game. It was decided to send a remit to the council of the South Island Acclimatization Societies suggesting that an amendment to the law be requested. The drafting of the remit was left in the hands of Mr Russell.