BOMBS AND BIRDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 November 1938, Page 5

BOMBS AND BIRDS

SANCTUARY USE DEFENDED.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

BLENHEIM, November 15

An advance party arrived to make arrangements for the first squadron camp of the Wellington Territorial Squadron R.A.F., which will be held at the Blenheim aerodrome during the! succeeding fortnight.

Discussing the use of Lake Gressmere, which is a bird sanctuary, for bombing practice, against which the Marlborough Acclimatisation Society is protesting, members of the party reiterated the opinion that, the ducks and swans would not be seriously affected. The trouble was that the nature andx effect of the stannic bombs, which it was proposed to use, were not. understood. It was explained they werq not. explosive bombs in the accepted sense of the word, hut merely containers of liquid that emitted smoko on contact, causing no barm whatever. They were commonly used i’i England on bird sanctuaries. Bird life disregarded them completely. Lake Gressmere, on account of the extensive flat surface, was ideal tor observing bombing practice. ’lhe Acclimatisation Society is leaving the matter in the hand's of the Internal Affairs Department.