VERMIN VERSUS GAME

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 61, 9 September 1937, Page 27

VERMIN VERSUS GAME

BONUS FOR DESTRUCTION '

The need for increased destruction of vermin becomes more essential as a protection to increased capital expended in pheasant liberations, wrote Dr. G. T. V. Anson, chairman of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, to a meeting of the society last night which he was unable to attend. "We have held our hand in the hope of a national policy," he continued. "We have subscribed to the principle of unified control, but have not felt it possible to guarantee any fixed • sum unless we were assured of the power to charge such a licence fee as would make it possible to carry out our obligations. We also wished to assure ourselves of the intention of the other societies so that any action taken might be in conformity with that of other areas. We have now the certainty of the favourable consideration of uniform bounties for destroyed vermin, at least throughout the North Island, but we know that no North Island scheme can be inaugurated until we are given the assurance that we can levy the revenue necessary from the licences." The council, in the meantime, could only do all in its power as ah indication of the lines the work would be done on. It could only guarantee a certain sum in bonuses, but he. hoped the council would favourably consider scheme for vermin bonuses. Members at the meeting were In agreement with Dr. Anson, and the recommendation of the game committee that, pending the adoption of a North Island scheme,'the society pay 6d per pair of hawks' feet, and 6d each for stoats', weasels', **and ferrets' tails secured in the Wellington district, was adopted, the total payment in bonuses not to exceed 10 per cent, of the game revenue.