A SHILLING A SHOUT

Evening Star, Issue 19387, 22 October 1926, Page 14

A SHILLING A SHOUT

SMOKED SBDVEHIRS THE WILD PfG AND THE BUSH FARM. Judging by a report appearing in tlio 1 Hawora Star ’ of October 1," the Forest _ Service is now prepared to buy wild pig snouts at Is each, but as the Government’s annual allocation for the purpose is limited, and as it is a case oi first coiao hirst served, anyone with a collection of wild pig snouts had belter solid thorn along at an early date. A Forest Service officer told the reporter that “ tho allocation was limited, so that only a certain number of snouts could bo accepted each year. Last year tho department paid for about 5,000 snouts which had been crowded cut the previous November, which loft about 12,000 Die department could accept this year. Already 5,000 of this season’s snouts were to hand, and many more wore expected.” Ho also staled that it was on last Thursday that circulars with regard to the shilling royalty were sent out, “ and on Friday tho first consignment of 180 snouts camo to hand, followed shortly afterwards by lots of 1,600 and 2,000, while, another consignment of 2,000 was expected, iiiub day.” ' i Having been smoked—in tho interests of sanitation—the wild pigs’ snouts attain tho property of currency. Crowded out of one season, it seems that they can bo banked for another. The smoked shouts can bo forwarded through tho post in sealed tins. Before this system was adopted a portion of tha Government’s fund was expended administratively in collecting tho snouts. Now that cost is cut out, as tho snouts come to the Forest Service. “Wo find the system working very well,” stated tho officer. “ Where bo loro a Jot of tho money allocated ns fur tha purpose of royalties was spent in collecting the snouts, it is now all utilised in paying out to those responsible for tho killing of the animals.” Ho added that the payment of Is was shared by tho State Forest Service ami tho Departments of Agriculture and and Lands. Tho only voucher required is tho smoKed snout. Stowed away in tins of varying sizes on the roof of a building in Ilaugitikoi street. Palmerston North, tho snouts looked like dried figs. Large and small and smoke-dried, these emblems of tin chase represented 5,000 pigs—or, at Is each, a total royalty of £250. “People in tho towns and cities do not realise what a serious menace wild pigs are in the remote parts of tho Taranaki and Wanganui districts,” remarked the officer. He added that tin: mortality they caused among lambs was very great.