NO LOCAL MENACE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 118, 14 November 1929, Page 15

NO LOCAL MENACE

DEER IN THIS. DISTRICT

, A.report by Mr.; P. W. Willson, the Wellington Acclimatisation Society's ranger for the southern portion ot the district, presented to the society last night, shows that whatever may be the case in other acclimatisation districts deer appear to be kept well in hand here, -the report says:—-"The position with regard < to _ deer in the Wellington Acclimatisation District is that their numbers have greatly decreased throughout the district during the past five years, and they are not out of hand in any part of the district.- However, deer are still fairly numerous in the following areas: , ''1. On the south and south-western sides of the Haurangi Reserve, and on the private property adjoining the reserve. At the present time there is a party oil five men culling over this country, and the station hands also do a fair amount of shooting during the week-ends. -The deer are steadily decreasing. : ■' 2. The Wainui-o-mata Waterworks -Reserve. The deer in this area are slowly increasing, and unless the Wellington City Council makes some alterations in the conditions under which deer may be killed they may become a nuisance in the near future." Pigs and goats are also numerous in the reserve. A condition under which they may be killed at the present time is that all carcasses must be carried off the reserve. This is practically impossible off high bush country, and no culling party would be able to do this, consequently the deer are not being destroyed to any great extent. "3. The Ruahine Ranges. On the western side of the range in the country beyond Mowhango the deer are fairly numerous, and arrangenients are in hand to cull this area within the next few weeks. ' ■ , ■ ■ • • " .

"I'h'o tleor in the Tararuas have never been out of hand. A culling party has made several trips into the Tauherenikau area, but has seen very few deer. Only six hinds and ,two stags have been destroyed. Arrangements have also been made for other parties to cull in this area/ also in areas further north. The deer in the Martmborotigh district have decreased to such an* extent that many station-holders are keeping shooters off their properties." •