EXPENSIVE PIGEONS

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 8 October 1954, Page 5

EXPENSIVE PIGEONS

RANGER'S GOOD TRACKING Before Mr W. A. Harlow, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, Taupo, on Friday, September. 24, Matt Pitiroi, William Bird Sanders and Marama Wall were charged with shooting native pigeons. The defendants appeared and pleaded guilty. Mr P. Burstall, ranger for the Internal Affairs Department, said in evidence that about 5 p.m. on June 20 he was hear the head of the Hinemaimai Stream when he encountered the defendants. They had three sugar'-bags with dead native pigeons in them. Pitiroi, who had shot two, was fined £10, costs £1. Wall, who had shot eight, was fined £17, costs £1. Determined Detection Dan Davis and Harry Hemopo who did not appear, were charged that on July 4, 1954 at Wione, they did hunt absolutely protected game, namely native pigeons. Mr P. Burstall, ranger, gave evidence that with two other officers, he came upon a truck near the start of a bush track. Owing to a recent frost he was able to detect by tracking that two men, each with distinctive boot soles, had entered the bush. They heard several shots from a .22 rifle, and trailed the men some distance down a bush track. Returning to the truck the rangers hid until two men appeared. Davis was carrying two quarters of venison, and Hemopo a .303 rifle. The men appeared to be suspicious and had obviously seen the rangers' tracks. One ranger heard Davis say something to the effect that they would "leave them till later." The rangers then closed on the truck which they searched without result. Davis asked whether they thought he was a pigeon shooter, Burstall replying that their search was a routine matter. After the men had left, the rangers again followed the men's tracks and eventually were led to a hidden .22 rifle with fresh blood on the stock, and! some freshly plucked pigeon feathers. Other tracks led to four dead pigeons two of which were still warm. Thq tracks were identified as belonging to the men seen at the truck. Convictions were; entered in both case. Davis was fined £10 with costs £1, and Hemopo £13 with * costs £1.