The first trout to hatch in NZ was a brown trout in Hagley Park, CHCH on October 10th 1867.
Press 15 January 1898 Page 7 THE FISH WERE COOKED!
An amusing incident occurred at Temuka in connection with a recent poaching
case. The ranger secured the poached fish, and handed them to the secretary of
the Acclimatisation Society, who forwarded them to the manager of the Timaru
Freezing Works in order that they might be preserved for identification in
court. It was a Saturday, and the fish, instead of being dropped off at the
freezing works siding, were taken into Timaru. The manager was out of town, and
the letter of advice did not reach him. The railway advised the office that a
parcel of perishable goods awaited release, and the office telephoned to the
manager's housekeeper. She, poor soul, sent for the fish, and, not liking to
waste them, cooked and ate them. On his return to town the manager was placed in
possession of the facts, and he duly expressed his regret at not being in a
position to produce the fish. The laugh over the incident fully compensated for
any bother which had arisen in connection with it.
Timaru Herald 20 November 1912 Page 6
A young man belonging to a Government travelling gang went out recently to fish
on a Fairlie farmer's property on the Sunday. The farmer came out find ordered
him off his property and gave his reasons for doing so, firstly fishing on
Sunday was against his principles, and secondly it was a bad example-for his
family. The young man, who knew, better, confessed his wrong and left, feeling
very much ashamed of himself.
Timaru Herald 22 April 1905 Page 2
Ranger Franks and Constable Fraser obtained a good haul of trout at Temuka on
Thursday. Visiting the house of Joseph Williams under a search warrant they
obtained 25 very fine trout, apparently recently caught; and a good net which
gave evidence of recent use. Proceedings will follow at the Temuka Magistrate's
Court on Tuesday next.
North Otago Times, 6 October 1890, Page 3
LIST OF PERSONS who have taken out FISHING LICENSES, Season 1890-91.
1 D Jackson, Waimate
2 David Smith, Waimate
3 J L Smith, Waimate
4 R B Hurst, Waimate
5 G Hurst, Waimate
6 R Cameron, Waimate
7 E Studholme, Waimate
8 Fredk. Harris, Waimate
9 Thomas Smith, Hook
10 Alex. Walker, Waimate
11 W Gordon, Waimate
12 Paul Studholme, Waimate
13 M C Studholme, Waimate
14 E C Studholme, Waimate
30 Jasper Wheeler, Waitaki
32 F Sharpe, Kurow
Press, 17 March 1911, Page 9
To the visitor who is an angler, the Temuka district possesses a particular
charm. Its rivers and streams provide the best fly fishing in the Dominion,
outside of the Hot Lakes district in the North Island. Trout were liberated in
the Winchester creek and Opihi and Temuka rivers many years ago, and Mr J. A.
Young jealously guarded the first fry he liberated in the creek by his residence
at Winchester. He lived to see Winchester the centre of trout fishing in
Canterbury for many years, but as the fish spread, and the Opihi and Temuka
rivers became famous for the baskets that could be made, Temuka attracted
visiting anglers. The oldest and most experienced disciple of Izaak Walton in
Temuka is Mr N. C. Nicholas, and what he does not know of the sport and where it
can best be obtained is not worth troubling about. Beside the anglers attracted
from many parts of the Dominion, visitors from Home and Australia, some of them
making an annual trip, whip the streams in the district, for besides the main
rivers, their numerous tributaries almost to their very source contain trout,
and provide sport both for the experienced and for the novice.
Otago Witness 20 May 1908, Page 64
In regard to poaching, the report says: The appointment of rangers in different
districts has checked poaching to a considerable degree, but until sportsmen
themselves and land-owners unite with the society in a combined effort to put
down the practice poaching will go on. The assistance of the police has been
obtained in the matter, the Commissioner having issued the necessary
instructions to his officers.
Timaru Herald, 8 June 1880, Page 2
We much regret to learn that a party of men were caught last Sunday in pursuit
of game on an estate near Timaru. Their names having been mentioned to us, we
are sorry to find among them one whom we have always hitherto considered a
respectable member of society and with some pretensions to a sportsman, and it
is to be regretted that he will now have to appear in the R.M. Court in
connection with some other associates of lesser note.
Timaru Herald, 24 March 1881, Page 6
SOUTH CANTERBURY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.
The annual meeting of the above Society was held at the offices of Mr James
Granger, Timaru, on March 5th. Present Messrs F. Archer (Chairman), Bristol, T.
Teschemaker, A. Turnbull, James Granger (Treasurer), A. Perry (Secretary), A.
Barker, A. W. Wright, M. Godby, R. H. Rhodes, jun., D. M. Ross, and Drs
Macintyre and Chilton. The Treasurer's annual statement and balance sheet,
showing the sum of £103 2s to the credit of the Society were adopted. The
following accounts were passed for payment -.—Timaru Herald, £4 14s 8d Evening
Telegraph, 15s Secretary, for 94 hawks' heads, £4 14s A. Perry, for
six pheasants, 5s A. Perry, for 300 trout at 15s, £2 6s. The Election of a
Committee of Management for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. Proposed
by Mr Teschemaker, seconded by Mr Wright, and carried "That the following
gentlemen be the Committee Messrs T, H. Wigley, Archer, Bristol, Dennistoun,
Elworthy, Ford, Gray, M. Studholme, Teschemaker, Turnbull, Or. F. Lovegrove, A.
Perry, A. Barker, Cecil Perry, A. W. Wright, W. Smith, M. Godby, R. H. Rhodes,
jun., J.. Stace Smith, D. M. Ross, John Raine, W. Postlethwaite, Granger, and
Drs Chilton and Macintyre. The following were unanimously re-elected officers of
the Society F. Archer, Chairman; Arthur Perry, Secretary James Granger,
Treasurer. A letter was read from the Secretary of the South Canterbury Coursing
Club, pointing out that poaching both game and trout was extensively carried on
about Temuka, and requesting the Society to appoint Mr Boyd Thompson, Ranger for
that district. It was resolved that His Excellency the Governor be requested to
appoint Messrs Boyd Thompson, Arthur Perry, D. M. Ross, Alexander Boyle, and A.
W. Wright, Rangers under the Animals Protection Act 1880. A long discussion then
ensued as to the seasons for shooting and hunting native game, and game within
the district. Mr Arthur Barker presented a petition from a number of landowners
in the Geraldine district, requesting permission to shoot hares in that district
from the 1st April next to the 3lst August following. The Secretary pointed out
that under the Act the season for killing game could only be from the 1st May to
the 31st July, in any year, It was resolved That the season for shooting native
game should be from the 1st April to the 31st July for shooting cock pheasants,
the month of June, license, fee £2 for shooting hares, from 1st May to 31st
July, license fee £1 coursing and hunting hares, May, June, and July, coursing
license 10s for the first dog, and 5s for each subsequent dog, the property of
one owner, license fee for a pack of hounds £2 that licenses issued by the
Christchurch Society should be available m this district during the open season
on being countersigned by the Secretary of this Society." Dr Chilton reported
that the salmon recently found in the Opihi gorge was a true Californian salmon.
A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, granting the Society permission
to use nets in the rivers Opihi and Temuka, to a certain whether salmon
exists m those streams, the experiment to he carried out under the supervision
of the Chairman and Secretary. It was resolved that the Society pay the
necessary expenses of the experiment, and Dr Chilton was requested to conduct
the expedition. It was resolved That on and after the 1st April next this
Society discontinue paying Is per head for dead hawks." Mr Archer offered to
purchase the old aviary in the Park for £2, which was agreed to. The meeting
then terminated.
Evening Post,
10 March 1891, Page 2 The native poaching cases at Kaiapoi
Christchurch, 9th March. The hearing of the Maori fishing cases was resumed at
Kaiapoi to-day. Counsel for the natives contended that the native rights of
fishery guaranteed by the Queen in the Treaty of Waitangi could not be
interfered with by the Colonial Government that under these rights they were
entitled to net all fish, and consequently to net trout. On the other side it
was contended that the natives surrendered their right of Mahinga Kai (food
gathering) by
Major Kemp's deed,
and that under the decision of Judge Fenton in 1868 the Maoris here gave up
their claims in consideration of a grant of land in the Timaru district.
Judgment was reserved.
Timaru Herald,
3 June 1868, Page 2
The Native Lands Court concluded its sittings at Christchurch on the 7th ultimo.
Amongst the claims settled were those of the natives of Arowhenua, Timaru, and
Waitaki. The chief object of the court was to enable each individual native to
take out a Crown grant for his land, and so for once to settle the constant
disputes as individual native ownership. In closing the Court Chief Justice
Fenton said that there was no mysterious knowledge necessary in dealing with the
natives, an educated English gentleman, not a Maori doctor, was all that was
required. He also thanked the Maoris for their orderly demeanour in Court, and
intelligent attention to the business going on.
Timaru Herald,
21 March 1891, Page 3
THE MAORI FISHING CASES. The FISHING ILLEGAL. Christchurch, March 20. Mr
Greenfield, R.M delivered judgment in the cases brought by the Acclimatisation
Society against two natives taking trout, contrary to the fishing regulations,
in the Waimakariri at Kaiapoi. The Magistrate held that the charges were proved,
and on the legal points railed that there was nothing in the Fisheries Act
limiting the right of laying informations by the officers appointed by the
Collector of Customs or preventing a police officer or other person laying
informations against persons committing a breach of the law, which was on
offence against the public. He was of opinion that the regulations gazetted met
the requirements of Interpretation Act 1888 Section 17. He was also of opinion
that the claim or right of the Natives under the Treaty of Waitangi and Major
Kemp's deed, to all rivers and fisheries within the area sold and conveyed by
that deed was a mere pretence and not bona fide as the natives must have known
that they had no legal claim under the treaty and that all fishery rights
reserved by deed under the phrase mahinga kai were extinguished by the Native
Land Court. A fine of £1 and cost in each, case was inflicted. On the
application of counsel for the defence the fines were increased to £5 5s each,
in order to give opportunity to appeal. Another case against a Native for a
similar breach of the regulations is to be taken.
Timaru Herald, 14 May 1879, Page
2
Christchurch, May 13. The Royal Commissioners resumed their sittings at Kaiapoi
this morning. The witnesses examined were Taare Wetere (Charley Wesley). Hone
Topi, Patuki, and Wiremu Nahairi. Their evidence was mainly corroborative of
what had been said by former witnesses. With regard to the boundaries of the
block, and the promises made by Messrs Kemp and Mantell as to a further large
payment m addition to the L2000 the establishment of schools and hospitals, and
the granting of further reserves the restoration of eel weirs and other
fisheries, landing places, cultivations, burial places and "mahinga kai," two
words upon which the Maoris attach very great importance, as according to them "mahinga
kai" embraces all the land from which they obtained the natural products of the
soil, such as cabbage tree root, fern root, woodhens, forest berries, etc., it
is remarkable how closely the story of one witness resembles that of another in
the main particulars. Their evidence is very interesting as it refers to a
period when the plains of Canterbury were almost unknown, except to the Maoris,
and when the verbatim shorthand notes come to be published, the volume will no
doubt evoke a considerable amount of curiosity. The Commissioners will sit again
to-morrow, and it is probable that the inquiry as to the Ngaitahu purchase will
terminate on Thursday. It will then become a question whether the Commissioners
will at once proceed with the investigation as to the purchase of Bank's
Peninsula, the Otago block and the Murihiku purchase in Southland, or postpone
going further for a month or two.
Press, 3 June 1890, Page 3 Temuka.
Monday, June 2. (Before C. A. Wray, R.M.)
Thos, Egan and Henry Smallridge was charged with unlawfully taking and killing a
trout, contrary to the regulations. Mr Salmond appeared for the informant, T.R.
Roberts, the ranger of the Geraldine County Acclimatisation Society; Mr Hay for
defendants. T. R. Roberts, ranger, gave evidence to seeing the defendants in a
boat on the Opihi river, and he watched them land. Smallridge carried a flounder
and Egan a kerosene tin, in which was a trout. He spoke
to them, and they asked him to overlook the offence, as they were poor men.
Defendants' were fined 60s each, costs 9s, and solicitor's fee 21s.
Star 8 November 1894, Page 3
There has been a good deal of poaching in. the Temuka district, and the
Geraldine County Acclimatisation Society has employed a ranger for some time
past. On the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 28, he found two men poaching in Cooper's
Creek, near Orari. They were charged at the Magistrate's Court, Temuka, on
Tuesday convicted and fined £3 each, with costs. Mr Salmond appeared for the
Society.
Otago Witness 10 January 1895, Page 33 A SUPPOSED SALMON.
Timaru, January 4. Mr O'Callaghan, of the Lands department, is sending to
Christchurch to-morrow, in a block of ice, for examination by Captain Hutton and
Mr Spackman, a fish caught in the Opihi on January 1, believed to be a true
salmon. It has all the paints, so far as can be judged. The weight is 5½
lb.
Timaru Herald, 25 September 1895, Page 2
A meeting of the combined councils of the Waitaki and Waimate Acclimatisation
Society was held at the Criterion Hotel, Waimate, on Monday last. Mr E. C.
Studholme was in the chair. The balance sheet, which showed a credit of £20, was
adopted. The fee for licenses was retained at 20s. Constables Parker and Gough
were appointed rangers. An application from Sergeant Gilbert, for a grant for
obtaining a conviction in the poaching case at Waihao, was considered, but it
was decided to offer to pay the sergeant his out of pocket expenses only. This
being all the business the meeting terminated.
Timaru Herald, 26 February 1896, Page 2
A Timaru resident admitted illegally attempting to take trout, he not being a
license-holder. Mr Salmond, for the Geraldine County Acclimatisation Society,
pressed for the full penalty as these cases were difficult to deal with. An
immense amount of poaching was going on, and to secure convictions was
expensive. His Worship inflicted a fine of 20s with costs £3 13s.
Timaru Herald, 20 August 1896, Page 3 THE PAREORA.
To the Editor of the Timaru Herald, Sir, Had your reporter exercised a I little
more care m reporting what was said at the recent meeting of the Acclimatisation
Society, Mr Brookland. would not have reason to complain of my remarks. What I
said was this— "That had visited the Upper Pareora 50 or 60 times last season
and only on three occasions did I meet a ranger." On four occasions I visited
the mouth of the Pareora, and every time I met the ranger there. I am sorry to
say the care bestowed on the lower part of the river by Mr Brookland is not
supported by the other ranger as it should be. Poaching is rampant at, 5 the
upper end, and yet the upper ranger never brought a charge home to any one
during the whole season, I quite concur with what Mr Brookland says relative to
giving a ranger a good salary to look after the river, and 1 hope that now the
Geraldine and South Canterbury Societies have agreed to amalgamate, this will be
done, and that some of those who systematically destroy fish by "poachers" means
will get what they deserve. In conclusion I may say I regret that my remarks
were wrongly reported thereby casting a reflection on one of the most energetic
rangers in South Canterbury, I am, etc., C. N. Macintosh. Timaru, 19/8/96.
Timaru Herald, 24 February 1897, Page 4
Henry John Culmann aged 17 years, was charged with having, on the 9th January,
attempted to take trout with out a license. Mr Salmon appeared for the the South
Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, the informants, and Mr Tripp for defendant.
Claude Worthington, William Jack, and Herbert Jack, three lads, were changed
with a similar offence on the 16th January. Worthington pleaded guilty, and the
brothers Jack not guilty. Evidence in the first case was given by Walter
Hessell, and in the second by Claude Worthington and H. T. Evans, a ranger
employed; by the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. Defendants were each
fined 5s and costs, solicitor's fee being allowed in each case.
Star 12 January 1898, Page 1
An amusing incident occurred at Temuka in connection with a recent poaching
case. The Ranger secured the poached fish and handed them to the Secretary of
the Acclimatisation Society, who forwarded them to the manager of the Timaru
Freezing Works in order that they might be preserved for identification in
court. It was a Saturday, and the fish, instead of being dropped off at the
freezing works siding, were taken into Timaru. The manager was out of town, and
the letter of advice did not reach him. The railway advised the office that a
parcel of perishable goods awaited release, and the office telephoned to the
manager's housekeeper. She, good soul, sent for the fish, and, not liking to
waste them, cooked and ate them. On his return to town the manager was placed in
possession of the facts, and he duly expressed his regret at not being in a
position to produce the fish. The laugh over the incident fully compensated for
any bother which had arisen in connection with it.
Timaru Herald, Wednesday 1 November 1899 pg3
Temuka - Tuesday, Oct. 31st. Before C.A. Wray, Esq., S.M.
Thomas Moss was charged on the information of Leonard Worthington, ranger for
the South Canterbury Society, with illegally taking trout on October 22nd.
Accused pleaded "Not guilty." In pursuance of his duties was in the
neighbourhood of Mr James Young's, Kakahu road, on Sunday, October 22nd, and saw
him throw some object away. He went across to accused and asked him to show him
what he was carrying. This proved to be a towel with a piece of soap. Later on
he examined the locality, and in the place where he had at first seen accused he
found a trout which was produced. The accused offered objections to the ranger
when his name was asked. The accused presence in the river-bed was accounted
for, the evidence showing that he had gone there for the purpose of bathing. His
Worship said that the case for the prosecution had not been clearly proved, and
the charge would be dismissed. He would not allow costs.
Timaru Herald, 18 November 1899, Page 3
TROUT. To the Editor of the Timaru Herald, Sir,— A letter appeared in one of
your late issues with regard to the prosecution of a young man for trout
poaching. The evidence was a bather, a towel, and a piece of soap, and a trout
afterwards collected in the vicinity. For this great capture, including the
soap, the ranger was entitled to a reward of £5, which, however, he did not get.
It may be said with certainty that, at the moment, the ranger's spare time might
have been well applied to the transfer of fish from pools where they now lie in
thousands, and are likely to die if rain is not shortly in evidence, to better
water. Mr Langdon has been out to-day with a couple of traps, three men, and a
bath or two, returning from a rescue from the Hae te- Moana with about 300,
losing 50 on the return journey through want of proper appliances. The fish were
liberated in deeper local water. It is a matter of speculation why the
Acclimatisation Society, with ample funds in hand, should continue to proceed
with their policy of "masterly inactivity." I am, etc.. Winchester.
Timaru Herald, 8 May 1900, Page 4 RIVER POACHING.
To the Editor of the Timaru Herald, Sir,— On Tuesday, 1st May, a case of
illegally taking trout, was heard before the stipendiary Magistrate at Temuka,
and, after the hearing of the evidence of both sides, the case was dismissed.
Evidence for the prosecution showed that the person charged was watched by the
ranger on the riverbed and seen to spear a trout. The ranger thereupon went
towards him, but accused went round some gorse, and when he appeared again he
had neither spear nor bag. However, these were subsequently found in the gorse
through I which accused had passed. When accosted by the ranger, accused
declined to give his name and offered to square it for £2. The defence was
merely a blank denial; although accused admitted being on the riverbed on that
date. In giving judgment His Worship said he would require some confirmatory
evidence of the ranger's story. This we consider a very weak judgment. The
evidence of a ranger, duly appointed by the Acclimatisation Society, has just as
much right to be believed as that of a policeman. The latter walks into an hotel
on Sunday morning and next day lays an information against the publican because
he says he was serving drinks on a Sunday. The publican brings three or four
witnesses to prove that the policeman's statement is not true, but without the
slightest effect. The one policeman's word is believed before that of three or
four civilians. We have always supposed that a ranger is, practically speaking,
a policeman, or rather a defective. Now, if his evidence has to be corroborated
it means that he will have to have somebody always with him. In this case
somebody must have blundered, otherwise it is useless to form societies and
clubs to promote sport and try to put a stop to poaching. We are, etc ANGLERS,
Timaru, 5th May, 1900.
Ashburton Guardian, 13 February 1901, Page 2
Geraldine. Poaching. William Rowe was charged with taking trout on the 10th,
13ch, 29th, and 31st of December, 1900, from the Waihi river without a license.
Mr Aspinall appeared for the S.C.A. Society. After hearing evidence the Bench
convicted the accused and inflicted a fine of 10s, and costs 21s, in default
three days' imprisonment. A similar charge on December 31, 1900, against
Fredrick Wheeler was adjourned for further evidence.
Otago Witness 8 April 1903, Page 58
The Opihi. — Fishing in the Opihi recently, Mr Kitto captured a trout weighing
141b 2oz. A Timaru angler has had good sport in the Opihi lately. On Thursday he
had five fish weighing 391b, on Friday five weighing 301b, and on Saturday he
caught an eight pounder and a 16-poundor trout. The latter was a fine fish, and
more like a salmon than a trout.
Poaching in South Canterbury. A lengthy letter appears in a
recent issue of the Timaru Herald from Mr F. A. Franks, ranger to the South
Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, in answer to "Spottie," who wrote a few days
previously of the poaching that was carried on in the district. Mr Franks says:
"The society does all in its power through its rangers to prevent poaching, but
its income scarcely justifies the employment of more than four rangers, who are
expected to exercise supervision over the Rangitata, Waihi and its tributaries,
Temuka, Tengawai, Opihi, and Pareora Rivers, no small order when only one of the
four rangers is on full time. The mistake which the society makes is that they
rely upon the assistance which anglers themselves should give. Had Spottie and
his friends acted in as sensible and sportsmanlike manner they would have, on
the occasion referred to, taken some steps to identify the men who were using
the net. Contrast their own conduct with that of Messrs Mahoney and and
Flanagan, an account of .which appears in the same issue of the paper. Nearly
all anglers are alike. They appear to think that the purchase of a License gives
them the privilege not only of fishing but of growling without stint against the
members of the society and its rangers. My notion is that poaching would
be readily suppressed if the society were backed up a little more. I have often
received information of a vague kind that poaching is being blamed on, but never
has an angler or other person assisted by giving names or reliable data upon
which I can work. They seem always frightened of getting into a row, or perhaps
it is that there is an underlying sympathy with poachers in general. I would
like to make one remark upon the inadequacy of the fines inflicted upon
conviction of poachers. From to the Bluff poachers appear to be let off lightly,
and until one or two substantial penalties are imposed they will be pimply
encouraged." The Timaru Herald has a long article on the matter, in the course
"of which it says:— "It does not appear that Spottie,' the nom de plume adopted
by our correspondent, remonstrated with the poachers or reported their rascally
proceedings either to the ranger or to the secretary of the Acclimatisation
Society. Inferentially Spottie censured the rangers, though he did not directly
mention them. This implied censure brought Mr Franks into the field, and we must
say that we endorse at least a part of what his letter contains, though we are
inclined to think that the Acclimatisation Society might the something more than
has been done in the past to stamp out, or at all events minimise, the poaching
nuisance. It is a fact that the movements of the rangers are watched by those
(their name is legion) who make a practice of poaching, and our strong
impression that, as a rule, the ranger do not endeaour to attain a really useful
degree of secrecy with regard to their proceedings. They ought to study and
imitate the detective art, without which the police would fail a great deal
oftener than they do. The poachers have favourite spots for carrying on their
nefarious operations; and if one or two of those spots were secretly and
persistently watched by a judiciously planted ranger, armed with field-glass, he
could hardly fail to be rewarded for his trouble. Since the publication of
Spottie's letter we have heard on good authority that information has been
furnished to a member of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society that parties
of poachers pay regular Sunday visits to the gorges of the Orari and Opuha, and
to the head waters of the Opihi. These use both net and dynamite, and it is
highly satisfactory to know that some of them have at length been caught in the
act, that their names have been taken, and that they are likely to be proceeded
against. The complaint with regard to the rangers is that their system is
defective. We do not agree with what Mr Franks says about the society not being
able to afford a larger expenditure with the object of putting down poaching.
More patrolling rangers are not wanted, but the society could very well afford
the cost of an occasional secret expedition in which several persons might take
part. If the services of a policeman could be secured, he being specially paid
for his trouble, so much the better. There is something in what Mr Franks says
about the neglect of anglers to give information when oases of poaching come
under their notice, and we agree with him that, in the case which Spottie
mentions, the latter and his friends should have done something more than
witness the poaching and write to a newspaper. But, on the other hand, it may be
pointed out that there is no evidence whatever that these anglers knew the
poachers or any of them, and it is too much to expect a man who is out for a
day's fishing to leave his amusement and track the offenders to their homes, and
find out their names. Near the end of his letter Mr Franks refers to the
inadequacy of the fines imposed upon poachers when they chance to be convicted.
Perhaps it is not exactly the correct thing for a man in his position to
criticize the doings of the Bench. His duty is to catch the poachers and then
leave the Court to deal with them. Nevertheless what he says is quite true. The
fines are generally ridiculously small, and sometimes an offender gets off with
a caution. A fine of two or three pounds ought to be the minimum, and it would
be an excellent thing if the magistrates had the power to send netters and
dynamiters to gaol, and also had the firmness to administer the law with fitting
severity.
Otago
Witness, 7 February 1906, Page 31
Charges of Poaching.— At the Magistrate's Court, Temuka, on January 30, before
Mr C. A. Wray, S.M., F. A. Franks, ranger for the South Canterbury
Acclimaisation Society, charged Gustave Henderson and F. Shearsby with fishing
for trout the Orari river without a license. Henderson did not appear and
Shearsby pleaded not guilty. Mr Aspinall prosecuted on behalf of the society.
Ranger Franks gave evidence to the effect that he saw defendant, who was not
possessed of a license, fishing in the Orari. There was a woman in company with
defendant, but he did not observe her fishing. The defendant gave a distinct
denial to the evidence given by Franks, and explained to the court that he was
only preparing his wife's rod and line, his wife being the holder of a fishing
license. Mrs Shearsby corroborated her husband's statements. The case was
dismissed. The charge against Henderson was adjourned for a fortnight. — Thomas
Boughen was proceeded against by Ranger Franks for illegally taking trout from
the hae-hae-te-Moana River. Mr Aspinall appeared for the society and Mr Farnie
for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Ranger Woofenden gave evidence that
he saw defendant taking trout from the river with his hands (tickling). He knew
defendant by sight and had a conversation with him in reference to the offence
and took possession of the trout and a bag which defendant was carrying. Mr
Farnie, nor the defence, submitted that no offence had been committed, defendant
being on he bank of the river on a shooting expedition. The defendant gave
evidence a support of his counsel's statement and denied that he took any trout
from the river, as he merely went to get-a drink of water. He did not deny the
existence of the trout, but explained that they were not his and had not been
taken out of the stream by him. John Sugrue stated that it was not an uncommon
occurrence to see trout lying on the banks of such streams as the Hae-te-Moana.
The Magistrate, in summing up, commented upon the evidence. He said that
Woofenden's evidence was Corroborated by the existence of the trout and he saw
no reason to disbelieve it. Defendant was convicted, and fined £5, costs 7s and
solicitor's fee £1 1s.
Timaru Herald, 28 April 1906, Page 6
A case of poaching was before the Court at Timaru yesterday, when John Mann and
his son, Frank Mann, Duncan Milne and John Milne, were charged with illegally
taking trout from the Pareora river on the 15th instant. The charge was proved
against two of the offenders — Frank Mann and Duncan Milne — and they were each
fined £2 and costs. The information was laid by Robert Ferguson, ranger for the
Acclimatisation Society.
Otago Witness 13 February 1907, Page 64
The Opihi.— Mr D. Taylor and a friend, fishing in the Opihi on Saturday week,
secured a very fine bag of 13 fish sealing in the aggregate 160 1b. The smallest
fish weighed 8½ lb, and the largest was a monster of
no less than 22 1b. Timaru Post.
Splendid sport is still being obtained by the anglers in the Lower Opihi. Mr C.
Williams (Temuka) recently caught fish weighing 20 1b, 19 1b, 16 1b, 13 1b, and
9 1b respectively, all in first-class condition.
Colonist, 21 September 1911, Page 2
Poaching has been very rife in South Canterbury rivers of recent years (says the
"Press") and all the efforts of rangers employed by the South Canterbury
Acclimatisation Society to put the practice down has proved practically useless.
Last year only two convictions were obtained, and a majority of the members of
the Council of the Society considering that the head ranger should have been
more successful in tracking down poachers, decided at a meeting held on Thursday
night last, to dispense with his services, and get a new ranger. The discussion
on the subject of poaching was a warm one, members declaring that it was getting
unbearable, and completely spoiling the fishing for legitimate sportsmen. It was
said that the poachers carried it on for profit, and only looked for big fish
which they secured for sale. Some of them carried firearms, to shoot not only
fish, but anyone who might interfere with them. They were nothing short of
criminals.
Ashburton Guardian, 15 September 1911, Page 5 FISHING AND POACHING.
A lively discussion took place at the meeting of the South Canterbury
Acclimatisation Society in Timaru yesterday, when the ever-green poaching
question and the need for local regulations were under consideration. Mr Foster
said that local regulations were urgently required for fish were taken by all
manner of means. Poaching was rife. Acetylene gas lamps were used, as also was
the rifle. He had seen it dozens of times, yet the ranger, seemed unable to
catch the culprits. Mr Dorm said the lamps, were used to round the fish up- like
sheep, and when they were all scared by the lights into one place, lines were
cast and the fish were foul hooked. Mr Coira supported the ranker, saying that
the gang of about 20 poachers carried on in such a systematic and well organised
way as to make it most difficult to catch them. While some did the poaching
others watched the ranger, mid the signals were passed along with lightning,
rapidity.
Feilding Star, 7 August 1916, Page 2 POACHERS PINCHED.
It was reported on good authority in Timaru (says the Post), that, as a result
of a raid by the ranger and other officers of the South Canterbury
Acclimatisation Society, several poachers had boon caught red-handed among the
rainbow trout in Lake Alexandria. It has .for some time been reported to the
Society that poaching in this sanctuary was rile, but it has always been most
difficult to get a strong case. In this particular instance the Society is said
to be able to sheet home one of the biggest cases of poaching that has ever
occurred in the Dominion. The trout were brought into Timaru on Monday, and have
been photographed, one of the specimens being among the finest ever seen. A
motor car is said to have played an important part in the poaching.
Ashburton Guardian, 1 October 1917, Page 3 A bashful
ranger
There was a strange happening on the Opihi River recently when some poaching was
done right under the nose of the ranger of the Acclimatisation Society, (says
the Timaru Herald) The strange aspect of the case was that, though the
poacher; was suspected, the ranger would not search the person under suspicion,
albeit he has a name for, marked impartiality in this respect. The
circumstances, however, were unusual, and even the ranger admits that he was
well duped. There was a woman in the case; in fact, there were several, and,
under the guise of bathing in, the, river, at least one of them set to work to
secure some trout before the season opened. She had on a regulation, bathing
costume, and proved an expert in getting fish out of the water with her hands.
On approaching the bathers, the ranger, from a sense of gallantry no doubt, felt
in duty bound to sheer off as soon as he saw that they were women. He noticed
that one of them looked extraordinary stout, but hastily looked the other way,
and thought no more about the matter, till later on he received indisputable
evidence, that she been poaching, and that her ''stoutness'' was caused the fine
conditioned trout which she had secreted under her bathing costume.
Auckland Star, 11 February 1922, Page 6
An English tourist who has been angling in the Temuka and Opihi rivers is
disappointed, and attributes the deterioration in the size of the fish to the
form of poaching that occur. The illegal methods, he says, are dynamiting,
liming, netting, and stall-holding. He looking forward to better fishing at
Rotorua. The gentleman was attracted to the Dominion by reports of good fishing
published in the Old Country. He says that if poaching is allowed to continue
English anglers will not come here. He suggests that the licence should be
increased in order to appoint more rangers, and that it should be illegal to
fish after, say. 10 p.m. at the latest, because much of the poaching is done at
night.
Auckland Star, 28 February 1923, Page 4
At the Temuka Police Court yesterday, the South Canterbury Acclimatisation
Society prosecuted two farmers, L. J. Grant and C. Heweson on charges of
stroke-hauling. The charge against Heweson was dismissed through lack of
corroborative evidence, while Grant was convicted and fined £5 on one
information and ordered to pay costs on another. The defendant Grant was
detected by Ranger Main, but had no fish in his possession.
The fish.
To the Rangitata I have come for years,
to fish for salmon despite the jeers.
I have fished and fished, in wind and rain,
Then stalked off home, vowing never again.
But come each year, at Christmas time,
back I would come to cast a line.
Down to the river. I went this day
and hooked a fish that was strong to play.
What seemed like hours we fought and battled,
until at last I had him rattled.
He pulled and struggled to no avail,
All was over when I grabbed his tail.
On to the beach. He slid quite fast.
I tapped his head, He breathed his last.
Home to show this disbelieving lot,
For me a salmon I have got.
No more fishing I have done,
since I caught that mighty one.
Believe me true, I do not lie.
All lesser fish can pass me by.
- By a
Southland Fisherman
A mother paradise duck with only one duckling left. Nov.
14th 2019