BIRD LOVERS REASSURED

Evening Star, Issue 23113, 12 November 1938, Page 11

BIRD LOVERS REASSURED

PRACTICE BOMBING OVER LAKE DUCKS WON’T " BAT AN EYELID [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. Nov. 11. Officers of the Air Force said today that the alarm of bird lovers over the exercises at Grassmere were really without foundation, for no full-power bombing was proposed. Small Stannic smoke bombs would be used and the ducks would not be hurt. In fact, they would become quite used to the planes overhead and would hardly “ bat an eyelid.” It was added that the Air Force business was a very serious business indeed and practice bombing at a target in the lake must be carried out in a serious way if the squadron was to hope for efficiency.

Concern was expressed in Blenheim on Thursday at the fact that from the present plans of the Wellington Territorial Bombing Squadron for bombing and machine-gun practice at Lake Grassmere during a fortnight’s camp at the Blenheim aerodrome, commencing next Wednesday, it appeared that the Marlborough Acclimatisation Society’s bird sanctuary on the lake was in danger of being destroyed. Lake Grassmere is about 20 miles south-east of Blenheim, and it has been selected as an area offering natural advantages for the exercises which the squadron proposes to carry out. The principal bombing target will be a small near the centre of the lake, and this island is the main point where grey duck, swans and paradise duck rest, the whole area being a bird sanctuary under the control of the Acclimatisation society. A target has been painted on the island, and it has been made even more clear by 12 large drums, which have been placed in position to surround the island. Protests were made by the society to the Internal Affairs Department, which agreed by telephone to discuss the matter with the military aviation authorities. The society takes the attitude that, while it in no way desires to impede the exercises of . the squadron, targets can easily be erected on an area between the lake and the sea.