BIRD SANCTUARIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 71, 25 March 1941, Page 8

BIRD SANCTUARIES.

A FARMER'S PROBLEM. The Forest and Bird Protection Society has urged during the past 12 years that New Zealand needs more sanctuaries, properly maintained, for the preservation of native birds, including water fowl. It is emphasised that the proclamation of an area as a sanctuary is not effective unless action is taken to cheek law breakers.

For example, a farmer who is a bird lover wrote to the society that he was willing to have ten acres of his property reserved as a bird sanctuary. The society replied asking whether the farmer would like the executive to take up the matter with the Department of Internal Affairs, with a view to strengthening his lands under the Animals Protection and Game Act. Howevef, the land owner's reaction was one of no-conlidence in the law as a preventive of poaching because there was not sufficient action taken for its enforcement.. "Xeither physical encumbrances nor statute law—in my experience—will cause parties of modern people with shotguns and dogs to hesitate to trespass," he wrote. "The most effective way is to shoot with a rifle in their direction, and chase them ofT the farm, explaining that as I am shortsighted it is in their interests not to trespass again; and to tell their friends about me. This method is effective."