PHEASANT REARING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 January 1931, Page 6

PHEASANT REARING

HAWERA HATCHERY WORK

A RECORD SEASON

With close on 300 pheasants reared tliis season, and all strong and well grown, the curator at the Hawera Hatcheries (Mr J. J. Miller) has put up a. record for this district and a figure which he thinks lias not been beaten in Taranaki. The figure would have been still larger but for the vandalism of a trespasser some days ago in pulling down the yards of some of tlu l later broods. Owing to Ibis a considerable number of chicks were lost. A “Hawera Star” representative had the privilege of a visit to the pens yesterday with the curator and noted with much interest the results of the .season’s work. There are 16 yards, each enclosing 15 birds about three months old. All are vigorous and looking well able to look after themselves. In adjacent pens are the stock birds, 28 lien and about 10 cock pheasants and all are fine looking birds. Mr Miller says they are the best he has vet had from which to breed. The later hatched chicks are still with their mother-liens and represent about eight clutches, all growing well. The total output is nearly double last year’s and should make very fine shooting for sportsmen when the birds get out into the bush. They will, of course, he first liberated in game sanctuaries in various parts of the district and which are carefully looked after by enthusiastic members on whose properties the preserves liaA'e been gazetted. There are verv strict enactments against trespassing on a. game sanctuary. Tt is illegal to take a dog or firearm on to a sanctuary or to discharge any firearm or explosive thereon, or to do anything likely to cause any bird or animal to leave a sauctnnrv. The maximum penalty is a fine of £lO for such offence and a further fine of £1 for each animal or bird so taken or killed. There is also a heave penalty for shooting a hen pheasant at anv time and in any locality. They are rigidly protected.