Millom Police Court Print E-mail
The Whitehaven News - Thursday, August 14, 1913

MILLOM POLICE COURT I
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9.
 
(Before W. LEWTHWAITE, W. J. YARR, J. J. CAIN, and J. NEWTON, Esqs.)
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ILLEGAL FISHING.
 
 William HADDATH and Joseph Gregg HOSKING, two youths, were charged with taking undersized crabs in contravention of the bye-laws, with respect to sea fisheries.
 
 Mr. Wilson BUTLER prosecuted on behalf of the county. He stated that the summonses were taken out under bye-law 22b, which specified that no person should remove from a fishery and edible crab, measuring less than 4 ½ inches across the broadest part of the back. The Cumberland Sea Fisheries made this bye-law in accordance with the laws of the land. In accordance with the evidence he would produce it would be shown that the two young men on the 19th July were fishing at Black Leg Rocks, in the parish of Whitbeck. They were watched by two officers of the Cumberland Sea Fisheries Authority, Captain HIGGS and another officer named PERCIVAL.
 
 On being examined it was found that HOSKIN had eight undersized crabs and HATTATH had ten, all of which measured less than 4 ½ across the back. The bye-laws were made for protection of the fishermen to prevent immature fish being taken away, and the county had gone to considerable expense to uphold these bye-laws. They had been published along the coast, and in that court two cases had been dealt with previously, and convictions made for similar offences. He pointed out that the penalty which could be imposed was not to exceed 20.
 
 Both defendants pleaded guilty.
 
 John Stanley HIGGS, in the employment of the Cumberland Sea Fishery Board, stated that he and another officer watched the two men fishing on July 19th from 4:30 to 5:30. The men went towards Haverigg, and witness followed. On searching HOSKING, undersized crabs under 2 ½ inches and under 4 inches were found on him. The other man had eleven crabs, ten being undersized. Both had sticks with hooks at end.
 
 The Clerk: Were the defendants within the boundary of the sea fishery district?
 
 Witness: Yes, they were fishing at Black Leg Rocks.
 
 The Clerk: The smallest crab was 2 ½ inches. What was the largest?
 
 Witness: One eighth under 4 inches.
 
 The Clerk: And 4 ½ inches is the limit?
 
 Witness: Yes.
 
 Mr. BUTLER said he did not wish to call any more witnesses, on account of adding to the costs.
 
 HOCKING: I did not know that we were doing any harm. I never heard of anyone being summoned, and I never saw any notices.
 
 The Clerk: That is the case?
 
 Witness: Yes.
 
 The Clerk: How far were the notices from where they were fishing?
 
 Witness: 400 or 500 yards.
 
 HADDATH: They are not there now.
 
 Mr. YARR did not see that there was an offence if the bye-laws were not posted up.
 
 Mr. BUTLER said that he wanted to be fair to the men, but he would call Inspector HOLMES to give evidence with respect to the posting of the bye-laws, but the defendant having pleaded guilty he did not wish in any way to add to the costs.
 
 The Chairman: Are you sure that there are no bye-laws posted?
 
 HADDATH: There are none up in Haverigg, and he did not know he was doing anything wrong.
 
 A fine of 1s and costs was imposed.
 
 An application to allow an advocate’s fee was not acceded to.
 
 The Chairman said he hoped that this would be a warning to others, not to take these undersized crabs. It may have been done innocently this time, but he hoped that the case would be a warning to defendants and others.
 

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FAILING TO SUPPORT
 
 Esther WILKINSON sued Charles MOYLE for neglecting to contribute towards the support of her child in accordance with an order granted by the Court.
 
 The defendant did not offer any excuse for the non-payment.
 
 The Chairman said he was very foolish for not paying. Had he been dissatisfied with the decision of the magistrates he could have appealed, and have had the case reheard. He did not do that, and now refused to pay, and therefore the only thing for him would be to go to prison. Had he appealed the decision might have been reversed, but the magistrates had now no other course to adopt except to send the defendant to prison, and therefore he was sent to gaol for a month.
 
*****
 
DRUNKENNESS.
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 William Henry JAMES was summoned by Sergt SCOTT for being drunk and disorderly in Wellington-street, on the 4th inst.
 
 The defendant having left Millom on his boat, the case, at his request, was taken in his absence, and a fine of 12s 6d, including costs was imposed.
 
 
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