SPEARING TROUT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 340, 16 March 1910, Page 7

SPEARING TROUT.

AN INGLE WOOD CONVICTION. The Inglewood Record reports that at the last sitting of the Magistrate's Court there, the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society, for whom Mr. J. E. Wilson appeared, prosecuted John Clarke for a .breach of the fishing regulations for having speared a trout in one of the Ngatoros. Mr. Spence appeared for defendant, who pleaded guilty. Mr Wilson; ! ,in asking for a substantial finfc, explained the position—that defendant was found with an acetylene lar'op and a spear, and a trout which he liad taken. On behalf of the Society, counsel asked for a fine which would have a', deterrent effect, as it was so extremely difficult to obtain witnesses in eases of poaching. Mr. Spence, on behalf of defendant, pointed out that there were three kinds of poaching—dynamiting, tickling and spearing. The defendant was only a young man, and had gone out for the purpose of spearing ells, a perfectly legitimate object, and one whicH would benefit the Society, as eels a-te the young .trout. When, however, he sa\y the. trout, his good intentions went 'to the winds, and he took the trout. /'He was only on a small income, sand jie asked with every confidence for lenient treatment. The Magistrate said he would deal leniently with defendant, firstly, because he had pleaded guilty and not to get out oi his wrong-doing; secondly, .because he had only small means, and a fine should be adjusted to tilie power of .payment"; and, thirdly, lwoan.se he considered poaching was- divided into "degrees" as pointed out. He would inflict the minimum penalty of £2, with costs 7s, and counsel's fee 21s. Another case against Hicton was withdrawn.