WAIRARAPA LAKE ACCESS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 121, 17 February 1944, Page 3

WAIRARAPA LAKE ACCESS

Wild Life Research “Investigation shows that the Wairarapa lakes were definitely made a recreation ground of-the people for all time,” said the chairman, Mr. D. J. Gibbs, at the meeting yesterday of the Wellington Acclimatization Society. “The situation today is that the public has no access tn this recreation ground. There has been a gradual encroachment on the part of property owners.. Except for Murphy s Line, all road access to the lakeside is blocked. The land has been subdivided and road access’, barred by fences, sheep pens and other agricultural obstacles.’ It .was pointed out that besides the main lake there were numerous lagoons, which posfeibly explained why the term Wairarapa lakes was used in connexion with this recreation ground. The lakes including the lagoons - are still owned by the Crown,, despite the lack of access. Councillors unanimously agreed that a deputation be formed to approach the Minister of Crown Lands on the subject. Mr. A. .J. Seed said that despite the time that' had elapsed since game birds in New Zealand were fostered for spot' very little’ was known of their habits. “There is still a lack of scientific know ledge on game birds.” he said. “We still don’t-know their greatest natural enemies, though we have our persona suspicions. We don’t even know for certain what arc the favourite foods of the native duck. We don’t know wha' are the worst enemies of game birds. Till acclimatization societies combine in a system whereby a research worker will be maintained we shall never know the necessary scientific facts we ought to know.”

The chairman explained that at present one-sixth of the society’s funds was spent on vermin destruction despite the fact that they did not know what vermin gave the most trouble. The 10,000 shooting men of the North Island alone con tribn ted £2500 a year to the societies. Surely a sum could be spared from that total to carry out research work. Members agreed that this •should fordone, and that the north and south councils should be requested to co-oper-ate to oentribute to a fund to maintain a qualified game research worker on a full-time basis.