WAR ON KEAS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19724, 14 September 1929, Page 24

WAR ON KEAS.

—_* ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY DISCUSSION.

Whether the Acclimatisation Society should wage direct war on keaa was a question considered at last night'B meeting of the Council at the esociety Discussion arose when it was being decided whether the officer employed to cull deer should supplement his income by shootmc keas as well. Mr C. R Clark said he did not agree uhat the man employed to shoot deer should supplement his income by shoot*. ing keas. at least, so far as the Society i was concerned. Mr G. D. Mcllraith thought that, it a man's income could be supplemented, he would go up ; nto the mountains to 'hoot deer. "Whv not let him kill bothP" asked Mr N. Rutherford, "We all know that the kea is the curse of the hack conn- ; trv station-holder in spite of what some of the politicians say." ! "I am not so sure that the kea is as black as he is painted." commented Mr D F Hobhs. "I heard an exnerieneed farmer say that not more than ,5 o'er cent of the keas attack sheep. Those few micht be killed, but the kea is a beautiful bird. Tf thev are a menace to sheepfarmers it is not for this •Societv to set out on a killing expedition." The chairman (Mr G Robertson): Then where are we to set our information if it is not from the sheep f arn»erP Mr Rutherford said he could say from experience that keas did untold damaee. He had Been them kill 40 or 50 cheep in two days. •• It was agreed »h«t the officer be enstaged only to cull deer.