ACCLIMATISATION

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 157, 21 March 1923, Page 11

ACCLIMATISATION

LIBERATION OF PHEASANTS \ HEAVY CULLING OF DEER HERDS At the beginning of the year the Wellington Acclimatisation Society purchased 200 four-months-old pheasants x from Mr. J. Dobson, of Aratapu, Dargavillo, and at the commencement of tins month, thanks to careful boxing and incessant watching on the journey, these birds were duly distributed at various, side stations in good order and without loss. Fifty-six wore purchased from Mr. E. Traski, of the society’s game farm at Paraparaumu, and were liberated at Palmerston North, Levin, and Johnsonville. Twelve were presented to the society by Mr. J. Al. Nicholls, of Carterton, and were liberated in Wairarapa South, and four were purchased by Mr. J. Mackay, of Island Bay. The red deer herd at Deer Park, Paraparaumu, was mustered on March 12, and the calves (11) were distributed as follows: —Two stags and one hind to tho Wa-iroa Rod and Gun Club, Hawke’s Bay; two stags and one liind to the Buller Acclimatisation Society at Westport; two. stags and three hinds to the Pahiatua subbranch for liberation on the Waimepa Range. Owing to misfortune and the thick scent in the large deer nin, only a little more than one-half of the calves were yarded. It is tho intention of the rangers to make another attempt shortly to yard the remainder, and if further captures are made the calves will be liberated in the Ohau district, at present closed to deer-stAlkern During Novcfmber, December, and January the rangers spent part of their time visiting the forest reserves and culling out malformed stogs and old and weedv hinds. 284 altogether being shot. Very heavy culling is proceeding in the Wairarapa South and Featherston ' counties, and it probable that more than 3000 deer have been shot since September, 1922, at Whakatoinotomo, Lagoon Hill, To Awhaite, White Rocks, and other stations. This year the Easter holidays open in March, and deer-stalkers will get the benefit as tho season opens on March 29. The rangers expect a very busy season, as quite a number of visitors aro making inquiries about likely localities for shooting. On April 11 a conference will he held in Wellington to discuss th* relation of deer, to forestry. The president, with Mr. E. J. C. Wiffin, has been appointed to represent, tho Wellington Society, and Air. C. Dasent has been appointed to represent Wairnarino.

The following is a detailed list of pheasant distributions in the Wellington district:—Marton, 15; Mangaweka, 15; Hunterville, 15; Taihape, 15; Pahiatua, 15; Levin, 20; Palmerston North, 25; Wairarapa South, 22; Wairarapa North, 10: Eketahuna, 10; Pcngaroa Rod and Gun Club, 15; Waihui. 15; Akatarawa, 15; . Sutherland Itoad (Hinakura), 10;.Tokoniaru, 10; Kaikorangf, 5: Heaton Park, s'; Makuri, 5; J. Whyte, 5 (Tokomarn); E. Martin, 5: W. Martin, 5 (Huangaroa); G. Wackrow’, 5; ,G. Hunter, 5; not vet liberated, 4. Total, 271.