SUPPLY OF GAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 20

SUPPLY OF GAME.

CONSERVATION NEED.

IMPORTATION OF CHUKOR.

OF EXPERIMENT.

''We do not want to appear unduly pessimistic, hut the most pressing need is the" conservation of game," said, the president, Mr. F. E, McKenzie, at the annual meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society last-evening..;. :

Mr. McKenzie said that they had to face the position ae it was, for conservation was the crying need of the day. Tlie societies in New Zealand were fighting a losing, battle. The burning of bush and destruction by stoats and weasels had taken heavy toll of game, and if it went On, the revenue would fall away. It behoved any council worth its salt to look into the question of conservation, an they were in a position of trust to maintain sport for rod and gu» for future generations. That applied more to game than it did to fish. The fish could be built up, but they could not build up game after it was gone. Quail were once plentiful in the Wellington province. Now quail were being trapped at Taumarunui for the -Wellington Society, while the Otago people said that with the exception of the paradise duck the game had gone. The president referred to the great loss caused by stoats, weasels and hawks. During the year a large amOUnt had been expended on destruction of vermin. Mr. McKenzie next mentioned the illluck that had attended the importation of chukor from India. Two early shipments were fairly successful, but in recent shipments there had been heavy mortality, and only a remnant had arrived. The council had decided not to spend any more money on chukor, and they had gone out of business in the direct importing line. The president said that this year the shooting season would be restricted to six weeks. It was a decision that had caused a lot of criticism. A meeting at Matamata was in favour of a two months' season and a limit of 15 duck, but at Huntly—the home of the grey duck —a season of six. weeks was unanimously urged, because the duck started laying in May. That was a .case of two localities not 100 miles apart holding unanimous* but distinct views. It meant that whatever season was decided on it would not meet the views, of. every centre. "There must be contervation of the grey duck," said the president, "as the 25 limit will only bring the end nearer." In conclusion, the president said that the fishing was improving, but there was room for more stocking.