DEER AND GOATS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 130, 14 March 1935, Page 6

DEER AND GOATS.

MENACE TO FORESTS. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S VIEW. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 13. In the Legislative Council to-day, in the absence of Sir Francis Bell, Sir Heaton Rhodes moved that in the opinion of the Council the Government should take active and effective steps to exterminate the deer and wild goats which were doing irreparable damage to native forests, many of which, if not more zealously protected, would inevitably be destroyed. Sir Heaton Rhodes said the motion had been tabled for the purpose of drawing attention to the damage done by deer and in order to bring about their extermination. Destruction of forests by deer and goats Avas having a serious effect on the bird life of the Dominion and from the point of view of the city dweller the animals were destroying the bush on water sheds from which the towns derived their water supply. The Hon D. Buddo said the destructho motion and urged the Government to combat the deer and goat menace immediately. The damage done to the New Zealand bush by wild animals was more extensive than most people believed. Moose and Waipiti. The Hon F. Waite suggested that moose and waipiti should be destroyed in addition to red deer. The Hon J. Alexander said a small section of the sporting public might be inclined to think their privileges were being curtailed by the motion, but incalculable damage was being done by insidious public enemies to New Zealand's natural heritage. The Hon. D, Buddo said the destruction oil forests by deer was having a serious effect on the water supply of Canterbury. The Hon G. J. Anderson said widespread damage had been done by deer on Stewart Island. The Hon. R. Masters said that since 1928 the amount spent by the Government on the destruction of deer had grown from £2B to £5186 in 1931. For the current year the estimate was £4OOO, it was expected that the Government would obtain £2OOO in revenue. The Government was sympathetic with the objects of the motion. The motion was carried.