NATIVE FORESTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 45, 23 February 1939, Page 11

NATIVE FORESTS

DAMAGE BY WILD PIGS

PLANS FOR DESTRUCTION

Plans for the destruction of wild pigs in the forests of New Zealand were being considered by the Ministef of Agriculture "(the Hon. W. Lee Map. tin.) and himself,'the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) stated yesterday. Every effort would be made to destroy the pests that destroyed the bush and damaged the crops of farmers near to bush areas. The best and most thorough methods devisable were necessary to safeguard the native bush, the Minister said. The Government, with the people, appreciated the value to theL Dominion of its bush and adopted for. full.working every measure for which there was likelihood of success in destroying deer.;" It was a big work the official -deep destruction officers were engaged on and, from his personal knowledge of their undertaking and their hazardous experience in the bush of mountain ranges where deer gathered, the mea richly earned the money voted them by Parliament. Goats and > pigs also played a part in destroying the native bush, and those pests were dealt with by the field officers. "It is reported by the men* destroying deer," Mr. Parry said, "that th» wild pig is not numerous among much, of the country infested by deer. All pigs seen by the men are killed, bit their work is to keep down ,the deer, which provide the greatest menace; It seems that wild pigs are increasing rapidly in the King Country and ■Tarariaki districts, and their depredations are severe."