Shooting List

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 12

Shooting List

Sir,-Mr H. B. Barker, in his reply to Mr M. C. Cullen, says that the pukeko need controlling lest they become a pest in some areas. I suggest that landowners be the judge as to when measures are necessary to control their numbers, and that shooting should be limited to one day in such areas where numbers need reducing. I feel sure no places north of the Ashley River could be found where pukeko need to be reduced in numbers, but could name some places where they have been shot out—Yours, etc., E. ROBERTS, sen. May 8, 1969.

Str,—lf the people who write this drivel about the pukeko becoming extinct had tried farming where the birds : are plentiful, they would not i make such absurd statements. . There are areas on the West . Coast where they breed in ■ thousands, and will destroy ; any crop, Including vegetable ’ gardens. The acclimatisation . society is quite right in hav- > ing it on the shooting list. , even extending the time. t Canterbury farmers can be i thankful somebody relieves i them of this pest, or they r would have to do the job > themselves.—Yours, etc., i WEST COAST, . May 8, 1969. Sir,—May I suggest that “Have a Heart” come over to the West Coast to see the “almost extinct” pukeko contentedly picking away at the ’ young clover? Their only . death is being run over by 1 cars. Can they become extinct at this rate?—Yours, etc., I FARMER’S DAUGHTER, t May 7, 1969. b [This correspondence is , now closed.—Ed., "The > Press.”]