HARMFUL TO GAME

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 148, 26 June 1933, Page 11

HARMFUL TO GAME

DEPREDATION OF VERMIN

(Special to the "Evening Post.")"

PALMEEBTON N., This Day

A meeting of the Manawatu "Subcommittee of tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society, was held on Saturday evening,- when, concern was ..'expressed at the widespread depredations of both land and water vermin, and their harmful effects on certain kinds of game.' It was agreed that eyery_ sportsman should do his utmost to keep the pests in subjection.' ' .'-..■.

Instancing the , ravages, of shags among" trout, one member of the committee said he had commonly shot shags which contained partially: devoured trout. The shags regularly made raids up streams. The only efficient remedy was to shoot the shaggeries right out.

■-' Mr. W. J. Haase, of the Wellington 'Society; pointed out that the society "was alive to the position, and gave ■ammunition to shooting parties, which took upon themselves the destruction •of shags. ■ -' ~ '

It was stated that the sparrow hawk, too, was evidently a voracious feeder, and was particularly partial to quail. Instances were given of hawks being found with the remains of two or three quail inside them.

It was also stated that an sel had been found with 12-inch and 8-inch 'trout inside.it. . t

Mr. T. Andrews, Manawatu ranger for the .society, stated that of, twentytwo eels he had examined, this season, nineteen contained a brace of trout.

That the society is alive to the problem is shown by the fact that it has instituted a competition for the trapping of vermin. Prizes have been offered by Mr. L. O. H. Tripp. .