TELEGRAMS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. COPYRIGHT.] THE SHOOTING SEASON.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 1 April 1910, Page 5

TELEGRAMS. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. COPYRIGHT.] THE SHOOTING SEASON.

TO BE OPENED FOR A MONTH.

MORE ABOUT THE QUAIL.

[press association.], CHRISTCHURCH, April 1. The Hon. D. Buddo states that in view of the numerous petitions forwarded by acclimatisation societies asking for the suspension of section 26 of the Animals Protection Act, which makes 1910 a close season for game, the Government has decided to recommend !the Governor to suspend the operation ol the section as regards black swans, grey ducks, and imported game for a period of one month from 14th May next. This will apply only to those districts that have specially applied for an open seai son, and only to those varieties of game for which exemption from the provisions of the Act has been asked. The Minister states that it has been reluctantly decided to recommend this course. The evidence" before him is very conflicting. Many sportsmen in country districts and farmers recommend that {the provision for a close season be adhered to, while a number of acclimatisa- ] tion societies, agricultural and pastoral associations, and a few sportsmen in rural districts strongly recommend an, open season for at least some classes of game. The Minister understands that considerable benefit has been experienced in some States in America by the institution of periodical close seasons, and considers that the provision made by Parliament is generally right. There is no doubt, however, that quail are very plentiful in some busli districts, and are becoming a serious menace to farmers' grass seed on newlysown bush land; and he has evidence before him that goes to show that they are responsible to some extent for the spread of blackberry. No other variety of game seems to be over-abundant, and conditions generally appear to be such that it has been decided to recommend an open season for one month. .as stated.