DESTRUCTION OF KIWIS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 289, 6 September 1928, Page 15

DESTRUCTION OF KIWIS

CAUGHT IN OPOSSUM TRAPS FIGURES SAID TO BE EXAGGERATED During a discussion upon the question o£ opposums at the conference of acclimatisation societies yesterday it , was stated that over 1000 hiwis were killed on the West Coast by opossum trappers, the birds being caught in the traps set for opossums. Tire figures were alleged to be greatly exaggerated. There were several remits dealing with the transfer of opossums from one district to another, close seasons, disposal of skins, etc., some of which ■were referred to the executive committee to deal with. The president, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, pointed out that in reeiasing opposums in certain districts they had to be careful not to do this in areas where there were wekas and kiwis, as in trapping the skin animals the birds were also caught in the traps. The Buller delegate, Mr. L. Pain, feaid that a report had recently been received that over 100 kiwis had been killed on the West Coast in opposum traps, which was greatly to be deplor-

ed. The secretary (Mr. C. I. Dasent) said the numbers mentioned should be accepted with reservations. Certain statements had been made not far from 'Wellington by birds protection societies. Ho (Mr. Dasent) had talked with hundreds of trappers, and so far as Wellington district was concerned he did not suppose there were five kiwis killed like that. Those who had trapped in the South Island and then come north for the trapping had derided the whole thing. He saw a misleading statement published in a pamphlet only a few days ago. Mr. G. W. Mclntosh provoked hearty laughter’ in relating an incident about opposums. A man who had some land complained that the opposums were tuning his grass, and unless protection was removed he would be a ruined man. “The restriction was removed,” added Mr. Mclntosh, “and the man made enough money to go and buy an hotel.” (Laughter.) Another delegate said he had heard of four or five kiwis being trapped, but if not killed outright they were kept, even though they only had one leg. He had had one given to him in that state. The president said members would have the opportunity of discussing the matter to-day with the Department of Internal Affairs.