NATIVE GAME.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 88, 13 April 1912, Page 6

NATIVE GAME.

* LIMIT TO KILLING. ~ In reply to an enquiry by a Post representative aa to_ what decision had been •come to regarding the ehooting_ of native jgame, etc., this year, commencing on Ist -May, the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of internal Affairs, said that the acclianatisation societies throughout the Doininion, in response to a communication *;from him 'on the subject, had suggested Ahat an open season be proclaimed for •the following- 'in their particular disf/trict3: — Kaka, dotterell, god wit, native grey duck, pukeko, spoonbill 'duck, teal, black swan, wild geeee, and Jjparadise'jiuck, 1 „; * In regard to kaka and dotterell: The had not been, allowed to be shot \ "for -some' years, - and -the latter are protected.^ and the Minister had therefore Jbeen unable to agree to the request for ' . <an open season for these birds. In respect; to godwitt The Invercargill {Acclimatisation Society was the only so- ' ciety that had^ represented that these ■birds shookl be included with those, to b& 'killed during the season; but that bird .-.was dealt with specially under the Act, *he shooting season being fixed for JTebSraaaryy March, and April. As far as native _ pigeon, pukeko, teal, -fgrey duck, spoonbill duck, black 6wan, and wild gee&e 'were concerned, the Minister announced that he had given instructions for 'an open season to be declared for these birds in the _ districts .where the acclimatisation societies interested had recommended an open season. The Hon. Mr. Rußsell also remarked it hat for the -first time in the history, of shooting in this country" a limit is to' be imposed on the number of birds and other native-game to be killed pei; licenseiholdei 1 in any one day. On this point he 2iad found that there was somo divergence of opinion on the part of the 'acclimatisation ' societies, but as the societies'- conference held last year had made a recommendation that not more than 25 head of native game should ba {killed prer diem, and as the Minister was of opinion that this was a fair and reasonable limit, he had decided to agree |to it, the only exception being in the caao of the Mangomii and Whangaroa disiricts, where, at the request of the local 'association, the limit in the case of pigeons would be 10 per diem. As regards paradise ducks, the following societies had asked for an open seaion, , ,y«.,. Canterbury, Ashburton, South Canterbury, Waitaiki-Waimate. Otago, and Southland. As there have been clove seasons for these birds since 1908 — and even in that year the season was only i± short one — and as^ 1913 will be a close season for all native gamo in terms of the Protection Act, 1908, the Minister had decided to agree to a short open season in the districts abovo namud, from the Ist to the 14th May, inclusive. As opposums also had been found to be "exceedingly numerous in certain districts, the Minister had docided, on the recoin- , ' Vnendation of the Wellington, Nelson, fßuller, South Canterbury, Otago, anil Southland Acclimatisation Societies, to -isleclare -an opeu season for these animals 'Ih"th63o districts, but sales of the skins ivfll not be permitted, the intention being that the animals be killed for sport only.