R.M. COURT, RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2252, 14 December 1886, Page 2

R.M. COURT, RAGLAN.

Tuesday.— (Before Messrs VV. H. Wallis, T. Mitchell, and J. N. Pegler, J.P.) A chakok for a breach of the Fisheries Conservation Act, 1884, was heard against W. C. Sutton, for having mullet in hia possession during the close season. After hearing the statement of the prosecutor, and a few questions asked him by the defendant, the case was dismissed by the court, on the following grounds :— Under the Fisheries Conservation Act, 1884, the Governor-in-Council is empowered "to mako, alter, and revoke " regulations which shall have force and effect in any water and places specified therein under sub-section 2 of section sof the said Act. A close season may be prescribed, and during such close season it shall be unlawful for any person to take any fish. Under sub-section 3 the Governor-in Council may prohibit any person from having any fish in his possession. On referring to the Gazette of October 28th, No. 56, the bench finds that the Governor has made a regulation prescribing •a close season for mullet or kanae, during the months of December, January, and February, and during such closo season it shall be unlawtul to take or catch mullet. But sub-section 3 of section 5 of aaid Act, which makes it unlawful to have fish in possession, is not included in the regulations made by the Governor, consequently the information is faulty, and the bench has no other alternative than to dismiss the case. — (Own Correspondent, Raglan, December 9th, 1880.)