ROD AND GUN Fine Photographs Of N.Z. Game Birds

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 7

ROD AND GUN Fine Photographs Of N.Z. Game Birds

(Specially written for "The Press” by JAMES SIERS) There are few hunters and nature lovers In general who will not be thrilled by “Game Animals in New Zealand,” a book by Gordon Roberts (A. H. and A. W. Reed), who seems as cool with a camera as he is with a rifle. The title, I think is inappropriate. It does not suggest the magnificent photography to be found inside. Perhaps it should have stated New Zealand Games Animals Illustrated, or something of this na ture. However, it takes only a second to realise that this is primarily a photographic

essay on the major game species of the country taken by a competent photographer and supplemented with pictures from the collections of others. I first met Gordon Roberts on a filming trip in the Rangitata in 1965. He was then, as he is now, a Forest Service field officer in charge of a team of professional shooters in the Mount Cook area. Inevitably, the fact that Gordon was a photographer himself, was mentioned and 1 remember thinking: “Oh yes, another good keen man with a mound of blurred photographs showing piles of dead game.” How wrong. Yet it took a while to find out. Combined with his knowledge of the outdoors and his ability as a hunter is a natural modesty which did not advertise his ability with a camera. It was only after he had helped me up with my equipment that I realised he was a skilled photographer, armed with the best of camera and lenses, dedicated to producing outstanding pictures of our game animals. And this is what I find in his book. The fact that not all the pictures in the book are his own is not a reflection of his ability. It is remarkable that he achieved as wide and excellent a coverage as he did, considering most of the pictures were taken during his spare time—how many of us enjoy a busman’s holiday? Where his pictures did not meet the bill, he has had the modest good sense to get bet ter ones from the collections

of the McKenzies, and Laurie Turner, for wapiti; from Gus Morris for splendid fallow deer shots: and from the Shailers, of Rongotea, Manawatu, for sambur deer. Some of Gordon's best work Is of the Himalayan thar and the Austrian chamois, which he has come to know so well during his years in the high country. He has also got some excellent shots of the sika deer and the rusa. As the book is primarily a vehicle for a collection of outstanding pictures, the lack of story and anecdote is of little consequence. 1 am disappointed, however, that Gordon Roberts has expressed his personal views only briefly. As a field officer in charge of government shooters over a long period, he must have formed a wide range of opinions. However, in line with current policy he “favours" control rather than “extermination”. Control, in my opinion, is only another form of “management”. If game is to be controlled, then the next stage must surely be to manage it —for better trophy value, etc. It is a pity he has not allowed himself to speak on some of the issues of the day, but perhaps this is not the right place for this. Gordon’s book is a triumph. It is a wonderful tribute to an excellent outdoorsman and a reflection of the acceptability of the animals be has photographed as “game" rather than as “noxious” animals. Pictures, such as the ones he has featured, lend ou' wildlife considerable digni\ and beauty.