DOMAIN SERENADERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10704, 30 March 1926, Page 6

DOMAIN SERENADERS

GEESE AND THEIR HABITS.

BOROUGH COUNCIL INTERESTED

Nobody—was seen to weep a silent tear wben two web-footed inhabitants of the Domain delivered their last screech a few months ago, and it seems that some of their companions who nightly roam the Domain Oval .and other nearby playing grounds and greet each morn with a song of joy, .are in danger of being forced to change their ‘address. Their fate was discussed briefly at the Borough Council table last evening, when their habits came in for a little gentle criticism. Mr R. M. Dunlop started the ball .rolling by calling the attention of , councillors to a letter appearing in the “Guardian” a few days ago, in which complaint was made concerning the .domestic habits of the Canadian geese • .that grace the Domain ponds. They were, said Mr Dunlop, certainly a nuisauce, and the Te Marae tennis courts and the Oval were suffering. He moyed therefore, that the Acclimatisation Society be asked to accept the birds. ‘‘They could liberate them away up round Lake Heron,” be suggested, “or in some other remote part, where they would be mere useful in the future and less of a nuisance. No doubt they .sure very beautiful, but I feel that the Domain is hardly the place for them under the present conditions, seeing that they cannot be kept in a restrict.ed area. We should be satisfied with smaller birds.” The motion was seconded by Mr J. iW. Bowden. “They are very beautiful,” lie said, “but they have vagaries —another of them is their screeching round the neighbourhood.” Mr Ferriman: Does this apply to other birds, too? The white swans don’t create a nuisance, j Mr R. A. Collins: They haven’t .vagaries. Mr Ferriman said he thought they . should not do anything rash. Mr John Watson suggested that it might be possible to put netting round the Oval. He did not see why they should make a fuss oyer the screeching of a' few birds in these days of motor ears, buses and motor cycles. The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) also thought the motion too l drastic, and on it being put to the meeting, gave his casting vote against it. An amendment, moved by Messrs Dunlop and Bowden, that the Domain • Committee consider and report on the matter. _ ivas then carried. So the geese will be able to roam . and serenade the neighbours at will for .a little time yet.