FISHERY RANGERS' RADIO DEFEATS TROUT POACHERS AT WAITETOKO

Taupo Times, Volume V, Issue 209, 3 February 1956, Page 1

FISHERY RANGERS' RADIO DEFEATS TROUT POACHERS AT WAITETOKO

When Kepi Maniapoto, who did not appear, was charged in the Taupo Court on Thursday, January 26, with taking trout without a licence, and with taking trout other than With a rod and line, as well as with using a gaff for taking trout, Mr S. A. McNamara, Conservator of Wildlife, who prosecuted, related how scientific methofis had been used to outwit the poachers. Tlhe offences had occurred up the Waitetoko Stream on Sunday, August 28, 1955. It was known that poaching was going on, and to overcome the faet that the stream was difficult to approach without the rangers being seen, Mr P. J. Burstall had gone to Waiouru Military Camp and borrowed three portable wireless sets. On August 25, Ranger R. Yan Wering had reconnoitered the stream and found dead fish here and there. On the Sunday R anger Yan Wer ing went to a strategic spot about noon. la evidence he stated that he saw tractor with several people on it an] saw one or two people in the streanr and could hear the clinking of irou ■ on the gravel as spears were used. At 1.30 p.m. as arranged he callq" Mr Burstall on the radio and the latter, and Mr H. Newsham, guided by radio so as to avoid detection by the poachers, were able, together wit^ witness, to apprehend the poachers. Four youths amongst them were dealt with in the Children's Court and one man is to appear later. The Magistrate stated that such offences, when commited by members of the Tuwharetoa Tribe, were more serious than if they were committed by other Maoris, as the tribe received revenue from the fishery. Defendant was convicted on all charges. Use of the gaff drew a fim? of £5, absence of a licence cost £2 10s, and taking trout other than with rod and line cost £1, while Court costs totalled £3.