PARADISE DUCKS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 58, 12 March 1929, Page 13

PARADISE DUCKS

DAMAGE TO CROPS

OPEN SEASON FOR A WEEK

Many complaints have beon received by the Minister of Internal Affairs from farmers in the Sfluth of serious damage created by paradise dneks to their crops. They urgid, with the support of acclimatisation societies, that the clucks bo allowed to be taken or killed during- the coming season. The (the Hon. P. A. de In Perrello), after giving very careful consideration to all aspects of tho matter and reviewing the complaints made to him by farmers of the damage tho birds arc doing to their crops, has decided to allow an. open season during tho first week in May only in the following districts or parts of such districts, viz.: Ashburton, Lakes district, North Canterbury, Otago, South Canterbury, Southland, Waimate, Waitaki, and Westland; .-.■-■ Not inorfe than six birds may be taken or killed by any one person in any ono day. Particulars will, of course, be contained in the notifications fixing open seasons, which will be issued shortly. CBITI-OISM ANTICIPATED. In referring to his decision to-day, the Minister said he anticipated some criticism from the champions of our native birds., "I am just as much a lover of our iVative birds as anybody," remarked Mr:' de la Perrelle, "but when some of those birds, as is the case of the paradise duck, are increasi ing to such an. extent as to do damage to crops, then'l think we should,try a small open season for ono week. The close investigation I have made slio\v"3 that the paradise duck is taking the poison laid for rabbits, and there have been many casualties, lam assured that tho granting, of a short open season for the taking of the birds will be the means of driving them back from the farm lands to their natural haunts, where they are not so accessible to the gun. I think the action taken is both in the interests of the birds and of the farmers whose crops are suffering."