VANDALISM AT THE HEADS

Evening Star, Issue 23124, 25 November 1938, Page 13

VANDALISM AT THE HEADS

ALBATROSS NEST RAVAGED HARBOUR BOARD'S CONDEMNATION cIECTMFIGATKIN OF. WIRES SUGGESTED The cold-blooded vandalism of the two young men who invaded the albatross sanctuary at the Heads and destroyed the eggs in the nest there was a subject ot condemnation at last night’s meeting of the Harbour Board, one member going as far as to suggest that the board should electrify the wires enclosing the area so that intruders would receive both a literal and figurative shock. It was stated that tnree other pairs of birds were nesting in the vicinity, and that others were about as if seeking nesting places, and also that the young bird hatched last year, which had been ringed, had returned to its birthplace. After a lengthy discussion the board decided to thank the signalmen at the Heads for the interest they had taken in the protection of the birds, and that in future steps be taken to prosecute any offenders. The chairman (Mr W; Begg) opened the discussion by saying that all the members would deplore the fact that two vandals had disturbed the nest of the albatrosses and broken, the eggs. According to information received from the harbour master there had been four pairs of birds nesting there prior to this, but three had shifted. The signalmen at the Heads, who had been acting as honorary rangers, had reported that three or four other pairs hacf also been hovering about as it seeking a nesting place. . “ The young bird hatched last year has returned,” added Mr Begg. “We are certain of this, as it was ringed. So far ,it has not brought a mate, but it is gratifying to know that it has come hack. IVrth four pairs nesting there this year and others hovering about, it is our duty to support the Royal Society in its protective measures. It is to bo greatly regretted that these young men .should have acted as they did, a result of which has been a prohibition on interested persons from going there.” Mr Begg stated that the harbour toaster had now issued instructions, through the signalmen, that the names of any unauthorised persons found there should be taken with a view to their being dealt with, irrespective of their rank or position. He also thought that the attention of the transport companies should be drawn to the matter. They had been advertising excursions to the Heads to view the albatrosses and the old forts, and recently a crowd of excursionists came From Invercargill, about 200 going down the harbour to see the birds and the forts. They should be informed that the area was a reserve or sanctuary, and that they should display in conspicuous notices the fact that there could be no admission to the irea.

Mr T. Scollay suggested that the trouble was that the measures already taken to protect the birds were inidequate. “We want to find out what will be effective,” he said. “If necessary we should prohibit people From entering upon Harbour Board property at the Heads.”

Mr F. E. Tyson; The board could get more assistance from its employees. If we could induce them to take a teener interest it would be a big help. These two youths were refused admission, so why were they not prosecuted? Mr Begg: Their names were taken. Mr Tyson: If sufficient interest were iken there should have been a proseition.

Mr Begg: The board’s employees are iking an active interest in the matter. Mr R Duncan pointed out that the ork the employees had done was irely voluntary. “Few people want i act as policemen at a seaside rerb,” he said, “ and these men are > be commended for the interest they avo shown. I don’t know whether we ■mid get some assistance from the resi.•nts, but every step should be taken j protect the birds. It is for us to e that people like these young men 1 » not get the opportunity to do such hings.” Mr Begg: The people in the vicinity re all signalmen. Mr Duncan: We should acknowledge vhat they have done in the past. Mr J. B. Waters: I move that the signalmen be thanked for their interest, and that they be instructed to take the names of offenders, with a view to prosecution.

Mr J. W. Munro, M.P.: Suppose they refi'ae to give their names? Mr D. F. H. Sn.irp n : The Royal Society recently has published a photo-

graph of the birds. That is the worst thing it could have done. The transport companies are making capital out of it, and instead of a few sightseers there are now hundreds. If there is simply a gate there and boys see that it can be pushed open, both we and the society ought to be stirred up. Mr Begg; The signalmen are quite willing to act as honorary rangers, but don’t wish to be brought in to a prosecution. They have been given an assurance that any prosecution will be handled from this end of the harbour. Mr Tyson: Am I to understand that there is a stigma attached to any person who lays information against a creature so lost to all sense of decency that he would /disturb the albatrosses and destroy the eggs ? Why should anyone object to be drawn into such a prosecution? Mr Sharpe: Are thb public prohibited from entering this vicinity? Mr Begg; Yes, Mr Sharpe: Well, it shows the mentality of persons who would do a thing like this. Mr Begg: We could supply the signalmen with guns. (Laughter.) A Voice; Tar and feathers! , _ Mr J. Preston: It would be quite a simple matter to electrify the wires round the_ area. The offenders would back off in a hurry if they touched them. It would not be fatal, but they would not come back. Mr Waters’s motion was carried.