PROTECTION OF OPOSSUMS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20710, 22 November 1932, Page 13

PROTECTION OF OPOSSUMS.

AN AUCKLAND PROTEST. "Opossum* are a perfect abouiinaI'ira, nnv I ..u.nrv„ :;oo their worth," said Mi- H. E. Vaile, at a meeting of the council oi : the Auckland Institute and Museum. A reply was received from the Auckland Acclimatisation fiocioiy regarding the institute's recent pretest against the further lTberation of opossums in forest areas Tlio Bociotv pointed out that tlusro was no , intention on its purb to liberate opossums at To Aroha. Coroinandc], •or any other forest area. The suggestion to liberate the animals in tlio To Aroha liange had been brought forward somo veal's, ago, and immediately dropped by the Society. At the conference of acclimatisation societies in Wellington last month, the Auckland organisation had submitted a remit • suggesting that tho Go\ eminent should ho urged to allow opossum revenue to revert to acclimatisation societies _ conditionally upon tho moneys being used for tho protection and preservation of the lores I* and native bird life. Effect on Native Birds. Tho remit had been defeated <jn the ground that the object \i-us to.) intangible for a claim for the return of the revenue. Tho conference, however, had passed a remit that tho revenue should revert to the societies to be uped for fish, research and native bird protection. Investigation had .shown that opossums did little or no damage to native birds, but the Society felt that there should bo further investigation before a conclusion was reached that opossums were in the same category as red deer in tho depredation of forests. The president of the Council, Mr A. G. Lunn, said the Institute looked upon opossums as detrimental to bird life and vegetation. It appeared, from the (Society's communication, that no further protection of tho animals had been given. Mr Vail® suggested that the Auckland Acclimatisation Society should bo a«ked to support the Institute's views against opossums. In Mr Vailc's view, all protection of opossums should bo removed. The Council decided to obtain the support of local authorities in its objection. to tho protection of opossums, and, in the meantime, to obtain further information regarding the effect of tile animals on bush.