YACHTSMEN AND OYSTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 26, 20 June 1914, Page 5

YACHTSMEN AND OYSTERS.

A CASE OF HARDSHIP. By Tel ogr.tph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A deputation waited on the Prime Minister this afternoon in connection with the case oi the yacht Rawene, upon which a fine of £SO was imposed because of a breach of the law affecting oysters. Mr. J. H. Bradney, M.P., in introducing the deputation (from the Motor Boat Association) said that it Was intended to ask for an amendment of the law relating to the protection of opters. Mr. Ernest Davics said that the immediate desire of the deputation was to secure justice for the owner of the Rawene, and to prevent anyone else

from being placed in a similar position when he himself was not responsible for

the breach. It was also desired that the Government should consider the wisdom of placing restrictions on oysters only at certain seasons of the year, as was done with game. The Prime Minister, in reply, said that

if the oyster beds of Auckland harbor were to be protected the law must be stringent. On the other hand, he believed from what he had heard that Mr. Clifford had suffered an undue hardship. Personally, he believed that the law on the subject should be so amended, as, while sufficiently protecting the oyster beds, there would bo no possibility of a repetition of the hardship inflicted on Mr. Gifford. '<> proposed to recommend that ar :■ .ment to his colleagues.