OPOSSUMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 June 1927, Page 12

OPOSSUMS

WEST COAST ENTERPRISE. At the meeting of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Mr J. AV. Greenslade drew attention to the value of opossum skins, and the amount, of money opossum trapping brought into the district. He said his idea was that the trade in opossums should be made a business, and spaces set apart for the propagation of opossum herds. There were special kinds of skins which were most sought after by the dealers, black and silvergreys. He thought a stock should be secured from Tasmania, and properly farmed. There was a good profit to be made out of such a venture, properly" carried out, and it would be a means of bringing in more money to the West Coast. He understood that the opossums did not cross rivers, so that an area bounded by rivers would be a suitable locality for breeding grounds. Without joking, he thought the Department of Internal Affairs should be approached and their agreement to such a proposal, as he had outlined, secured. It would probably be said that opossums were destructive, and would do damage to the young trees growing about the Coast, and probably to the Government experimental tree planting areas. His answer was that they could be kept away from all such areas. There was plenty waste land on the West Coast. He had been particularly struck with the possibilities of an opossum industry" after a conversation with a Christchurch man, who had informed him that the opossum trade could be made worth £lOO,OOO to the Dominion yearly. The main point would be to select the best species for marketing purposes.

Mr Seddon said that many years ago his father had introduced black opossums from Tasmania, and liberated them in South Westland. Unfortunately they had become interbred with the ordinary red opossum, and lost their original identity. The late Dr. Morrice was enthusiastic about opossum culture from a marketing point of view, and had liberated a number at Kumara. There were splendid propagating grounds available among the South Westland rivers, especially as the timber industry did not extend that far. There were plenty of bushes there for breeding. The silver grey opossum could be specially segregated and bred. He believed there were great possibilities for the industry, and the Chamber would be well advised to go fully into the question The Government should make some research into the breeding, killing, and preparation of the skins for market. Professor Kirk was interested in the matter, so was Sir Francis Bell. He understood the only young trees, the opossum had a partiality for, were the miro. He saw a. great source .of revenue accruing from opossum culture on the West Coast, and would be glad to take the matter up with the Minister for Internal Affairs. He would suggest both black and silver-grey opossums be liberated. Mr Greenslade moved that the Minister of Internal Affairs be addressed on the matter of procuring the opossums to start the venture. Mr Kitchingham seconded, remarking that Ikamatua and Kanieri were the present breeding grounds. The motion was carried.