THE FIORDLAND EXPEDITION

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25833, 18 June 1949, Page 8

THE FIORDLAND EXPEDITION

SCIENTISTS TO MAKE FULL REPORT

STATEMENT BY MR PARRY (New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 17. The party of scientists which recently visited Fiordland has been asked by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) to furnish a comprehensive report on their findings, but it will probably be some months before the result of their naturally extensive investigations will be available. When it did come to hand, said Mr Parry to-day, the recommendations made by the scientists would be sent to the appropriate Ministers, so that action could be taken for the preservation and betterment of the Fiordland.

“The problem of depredations by wapiti will be among very important aspects of the report,” said Mr Parry, and Dr. J. Murie, leader of the expedition and a distinguished American wildlife authority, will give the Government a very full report on the waipiti. its population and its alleged ravages in the West Coast sounds district.

Mr Parry said the wildlife branch of the department was already controlling the expansion of the wapiti, but it was eagerly looking forward to the recommendations of Dr. Murie and his colleagues, so that departmental officers might take even more effective steps to see that the deer problem in the Fiordland was kept under strict control.

The expedition would also report on problems affecting the geological survey. botany, forest survey, small mammals, invertebrates, fish, and other questions. Mr Parry said.