OPOSSUMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 June 1928, Page 6

OPOSSUMS.

POINTS IN THE REGULATIONS. The very large number of opossums now to be round in tire Ararata district have ail come from tiie lew liberated in the woods of that district about twenty years -ago, a marked evidence of then prolific mciease in natural -surroundings. Tlieir nocturnal habits make n somewhat difficult for men interested to find out a great deal of their ways and their methods of life. The season for taking the little marsupials extends from June 1 to August 31, and this is controlled by Government, halt the nett revenue going to the I orestry Department and halt i<> the acclimatisation societies. Over the Dominion the total received in -royalties and skins reached about £IO,OOO. Last season the Hawera Society received about £sl. The license covers one district only and it i® provided that skins must be presented for stamping—in this district Sergeant Henry is the stamping officer—in the district in which the animals are taken.

In disposing of the skins, any person licensed may give them away, sell them or otherwise get rid of them, provided the skins bear the appropriate mark. A penalty for holding a skin not so marked or of making it into coat, iug or muff is fixed by statute. It is proscribed t-but <4 cilt opossum skins Biid bo nets, traps, firearms, appliances and devices lawfully seized by a rangei under tbe Act and used or intended to be used in breach of regulations shall be forfeited to and become the property of the Crown.” Ararata has become well-known as a very considerable habitual of tbe opossum and trappers have secured. excellent bags from the bush of that district.