SMALL BIRDS' NUISANCE.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5858, 23 June 1884, Page 3

SMALL BIRDS' NUISANCE.

A meeting of those interested in the prevention of the small birds' nuisance was held on Saturday at the rooms of the A. and P. Association. Twenty gentlemen were present, and Mr Donald was voted to the chair.

The Chaibman briefly stated the object of the meeting. He was not in favor of eradicating the small birds, but only of abating the nuisance. The birds were good servants but bad masters. They had been of value when introduced, but he calculated that last year they had caused, at tbe very lowest estimate, a loss of .£50,000. The Chairman then reterrel to the Baad Boards as the most suitable agents for collection of funds, to be expended in the war against the small birds. Mr Hugh Eldeb, of Kaiapoi, gave some figures on the subject, and expressed an emphatic opinion that every local body should go heartily into the work. Mr Dunlop presumed that the object of that meeting was to obtain combined action on the part ef the different bodies. Large sums of money were being expanded, but the action was not general. He thought the Road Boards should unite to h&vo this poisoning done at the proper time and in the best manner. Few people knew how great a loss was being sustained in and around Christchurch and Kaiapoi. He hoped they would not separate without taking some steps towards united action. Mr Gammack referred to the varying proportions of poison to grain in use in different plaee3. In his district they poisoned the wheat, and sold it at half price, and in his opinion this was necessary, for the grain was no'j valued if obtained gratis. He did not believe in the destruction of eggs. The boys broke fences in getting then?, and, moreover, generally left one egg in the nest, as an inducement to the birds to go on laying. £400 should be ample for present needs, and he thought this could easily be raised. It would be well to settle once for all whether the grain should be given or sold.

The Chatbman spoke in favor of the egg-destruction, on-account of the remarkable fecundity of eparrows.

Mr Jason said the evil was certainly on the increase.

A discussion followed on the relative value of the different methods of dealing with the pe3t. Beating- hedges at nights, with nets to catch the birds, wa3 strongly recommended. It was also the opinion of many members that linnets and larks did more damage than sparrows.

Mr Dunlop proposed that the different Clubs should .import a few sparrow-hawks, the natural enemies of small birds. Tne hawk now in the country was useless, but the eparrow-hawk would be at work all the year round, and, moreover, it would not touch game, like the large hawk.

After further discussion. The Chai&xan proposed co-operation in

the importation of strychnine, whioh was a very expensive item ox trite ooet. f ' Messrs vindicated the chemists from of making undue profits on the drag. • ; With regard to taking united action in dealing with the peet, a gmual opinion was expressed that the Tnntiw«Hwl best be dealt with by the County •QGvasStg, who control far larger areas than BowlJßoaxds.

Mr H. fttnrwicx a petition be got up and pseseaftMSF to the Selwyn County Countil to undertake the work of poisoning." Mr Hugh Eij>ee seconded the motion. ;

This was put and carried, and the. meeting then adjourned after passing a vote of fhn.Binj to the Chairman.