INTRODUCTION OF GAME.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10985, 7 June 1901, Page 3

INTRODUCTION OF GAME.

''- TO XHB KDITOB OF THE PRESS. .Sir, —I, in common with many others, consider it is high time that the Acclimatisation Societies throughout the colony, in conjunction' with the Government, should pot in hand the work of properly stocking the country with various suitabte feathered and large game. It is now universally recognised that the introduction (systematically) of trout, which ■work.has been assisted by the Government, has been entirely, successful not only making the country one of -ths finest fishing resorte in-the world, but adding considerably to our tourist traffic in every way. The societies appear to mc to be unable lto grasp the importance of game introduction, a. work which is at least equal to th« stocking of our rivers. With the exception iof the deer, recently obtained, and a few spasmodic efforts to introduce pheasants and partridges (four of them red-legged), all 1 of which increased for a time, and then died out for want of fresh blood, the local society has practically done nothing but hatched fish, and this year but very few oi them. There seems to be a good deal in the cempkint so often expressed by farmers that it is nothing but a fishing society, and I think further, that with the farmers' assistance in the protection and introduction of game, the reproach might be removed. The funds of the societies are, I understand, derived from a comparatively fewlicenses, and the subscriptions of the Council, which numbers about twenty, and this sum- is obviously inadequate to take in hand the work of proper game acclimatisation. Now the Government have taken up the question of introducing salmon, I trust also that thsy will include the introduction of game, in conjunction with the societies. Should this important work be taken in hand, it will 'hz absolutely necessary to properly protect tha game, and I consider a moderate gun license the best means to this end. This would also provide adequate funds to carry on the work. Trusting some interest may be aroused in.this matter, and that our representatives will assist in pressing the matter on the Government. —Yours, etc.,

LOVER OF SPORT.