RUTHLESS RAIDERS

Evening Star, Issue 20422, 1 March 1930, Page 12

RUTHLESS RAIDERS

SLAUGHTER OF NATIVE BIRDS I ' SOCIETIES COMBINE TO PROTECT NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDED As a result of invitations extended to various local bodies to attend a meeting at the Museum, King street, last evening, there was an attendance of about fifty members, representing the Otago Institute, the Archaeological Society, the New Zealand Native Bird Society, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Historical Association, ‘the Otago Early Settlers’ Association, the Naturalists’ Field Club, the Otago Tramping Club, the Otago Women’s Club, the Otago Expansion League, the Classical Association, the Dunedin Horticultural Society,, the _ Otago Forestry League, the OtagoUniversity, and the Otago Acclimatisation Society. The business for which the meeting was called was to take means to prevent further destruction of penguins and other native birds; native,-trees and forests; historical, Maori, and other sites; and the creation of archaeological reserves. Mr S. Angel was voted to the oh air, and Mr M'Caskell was appointed secretary.

The Chairman, in his opening remarks, thanked the gathering for asking him to take the chair, and said that the large attendance, showed the interest of those present in the institute. He outlined the object of the , meeting. VALUABLE SCIENTIFIC SITES. Mr H. I). Skinner was called upon to speak about the archaeological aiid ethnological aspects of the question, and he said that the Papanui Beach where the penguin rookeries (which were recently raided and a number of the birds killed) was an unusually beautiful place. He had some time ago visited a number of famous resorts in America, and he told how well they were kept and how the public was made to look after the places. New Zealand had a great number of natural beauty spots, and if something could be done to prevent the spoiling of these places it would be well worth their while. A number of lantern slides were shown depicting; a party at work in the vicinity of Papanui and Murdering Bay, .searching' for curios for scientific purposes, and also showing many of the valuable finds. The speaker said that after seeing the slides the gathering would have some idea how /much it meant to archreology if sites, which had not yet been worked by scientists were dug up by unauthorised people.

KILLING OF PENGUINS

Mr R. H. Steelo said that he had visited- the rookeries with a party before Labour Day, and had found , about twenty-five penguins, while others were to be seen on another part of the beach. The first offences of killing had apparently taken place on Labour Day, and, despite some publicity oh the matter, the shooting had continued. There seemed no reason why the birds were hunted; they depended upon the sea for their food, and it could hardly be said they called on man to any extent for a decent nesting place. The matter of the ■ recent killing of the penguins was now in the hands of the police, but nothing had been reported. He thought that l only drastic action would put a stop, to these criminal acts. The speaker’s remarks in regard to the penguins at Little Papanui were illustrated with lantern slides. He then moved —“ That it be a recommendation to the Minister of Internal Affairs from the societies here represented that the whole of the coast line between the southern endl of Little Papanui Beach and Wick lift'd Bay Inlot, and as much of the land behind as may bo' deemed advisable, should be proclaimed a sanctuary for native bird life, the whole /of the said land being part of Papanui Native Reserve, No. D.” Mr Thomas O’Shea seconded the motion, stating that he had been a frequent visitor to the rookeries, which provided a very interesting study. It seemed a great pity that through the ruthlesnsess of,a number of “pleasureseekers,” these pets (for they were quite tame, and were fond of being stroked) had been shot. The Rev. W. Saunders (from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) said that the body he represented would be ready to support any action taken to prevent cruelty to * these birds. Many of those which ' were not killed would probably have suffered from wounds, and thus wouftl have been unable to obtain food, while in the midst of plenty, and would have slowly starved to death. Mr C. A. Wilson (of the Acclimatisation Society) said his society had already taken steps to have Papanui Beach made a sanctuary, although even

now the place offered some protection, as the Acclimatisation Society’s rangeland honorary rangers were keeping an eye on things. Mr J. J. Kennedy (representing the Tramping Club) said it would be advisable to extend the territory of the

sanctuary from Beattie’s Beach to the smaller one beyond Pipikariti Beach, with a view to putting a stop to the robbing of sea-birds’ nests at Cape

Saunders. Professor W. Benham (of the University) said that this step was one in the right direction, but they would have to go further and educate the young people to respect the sanctuaries. Pie said that it was since the popularity of the motor car that the sanctuaries had been outrageously raided, but he was sure they could bo made splendid resorts, which, being only a short distance from the city, would attract a great deal of attention. The plant life and bird life of the cou'ntry should be protected in some way, but how would callous youths be prevented from entering sanctuaries? It was a big problem to bo faced, but it was deserving of every consideration.

The Chairman stated that the matter was one which should be takefi up by the ‘ institute, and children at school should be taught to protect Nature. The mere advertising of the fact that the destruction of the penguins had been extensive would never stop, the killing, but they would have to act. Mr Kennedy’s suggestion to extent! the (area of the sanctuaTy was included in the motion, which was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. WILD DUCKS. Mr G. C. Thomson staled that there was nothing left for him to say regarding the protection of native birds, Imt he wished to move—“ That this representative meeting of tlici Otago Institute, Archteological Society, New Zealand National Bird Protection Society, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Society. Historical Association, Otago Early Settlers’ Association, Naturalists’ Field Club, Otago Tramping Club, Horticultural Society, Otago Women’s Club, Classical Association, Otago Expansion League, and heads of educational institutions, and citizens, urge that our beautiful, unique spoonbill ducks, paradise ducks, and pukekos, be placed upon the list of absolutely protected birds, to prevent any further slaughter; and, further, that all sister societies and those of a like nature throughout New Zealand be notified to assist in the movement. A copy of the resolution to bo forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs and every member of Parliament.'” Dr Riley seconded the motion, after which Mr Thomson and Mr Wilson engaged in a discussion on the damage done to crops by the ducks mentioned in the motion.

The motion was carrier!, Mr Wilson alone dissenting. During the discussion, Mr Thomson said that the beautiful native birds of this country were suffering from the ravages of disease, ferrets, rats, motor cars, and shotguns, and lie thought it was, time the Acclimatisation Society did {something to help those who were interested in the preservation of the birds. THE DEER MENACE. The problem of deer control was introduced by the Hon. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C., who said it was desirable that it should be reduced. Extermination had been mentioned, but he was not prepared to go as far as that. Tho great necessity was drastic control. The big thing they were up against was the lack of unified control in the matter of the authorities dealing with the deer menace. The solution of the difficulty lay in the bringing of all such maters under one Government authority. Acclimatisation societies were doing their best, but their efforts were being handicapped by the existence of so many different authorities, which- would not work together. Ho moved —“'That this meeting views with concern the fact that the deer pest has become a menace to the well-being of our forests and much of our farm lands. As this is a matter of national importance, we consider it should be bandied nationally. This being impossible under the present system of administration, we urge the Government to place the whole of our wild life under the control of one State department. The immediate' necessity is that active measures should be taken for the reduction.”

Mr R. S. Black seconded the motion, asserting that the people of this country would bo astounded if they knew how much the deer pest was' costing New Zealand.

Mr W. B. Steel (secretary of the Otago Expansion League) mentioned the matter of poisoning deer by means of arsenic in salt licks. This method of reducing the pest had been suggested to the Government, but had been turned down, but lie thought it was an idea worthy of serious consideration.

Mr Wilson said that some people were becoming unduly alarmed at the deer menace. Witli a good'market for skins they could expect the deer to go the way of the rabbit, which almost disappeared when the skins were saleable.

Mr Kennedy suggested to Mr Wilson that some impression could be made on the nuisance if stalking were encouraged by the acclimatisation societies, and if blocks were not set aside for specially favoured parties of stalkers. Mr G. C. Thomson said the deer, the chamois, and the thar were the worst pests in the country to-day, and they were a constant drain on the country’s resources. The motion was carried, Mr Wilson’s voice again being the only one raised in opposition. A CENTRAL ORGANISATION. The Chairman moved—“ That it be a recommendation to the Government that local boards bo set up, consisting of a member or members elected by the New Zealand Institute, the local branch of the Bird Protection Society, the Historical Association, or- other interested societies; and a Government representative; such boards to advise the Government regarding preservation and protection of sites of historical ami scientific interests, and the proclamation of suitable sanctuaries for native birds under the 1921-22 Act and its amendments.” The Chairman said that the lack of central control by one authority of such matters, which Mr G. M. Thomson had remarked, was a question which such a meeting as that held that evening should consider. Porson.ally, he thought that a special board should be appointed to undertake the work of preserving flora and fauna and interesting sights.

The motion was carried unanimously. At the conclusion of the business, a vote of thanks was accorded Professor Bonham for the use of the lecture room.