CORRESPONDENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1933, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE

THE OPOSSUM SEASON

(To the Editor)

Sir.—Regarding opossum hunting in this district, commencing on June 1, T'do -not—know if the local executive has the pc.wer, but it is a shame to open the season in this locality. The opossums are beginning to gain a little in this district, end it will be disastrous to open the season at present. On account of the country adjacent to Hokitika, the amount of cyanide poison ling that has been, end i s being carried on < is ruining the district for obtaining good fur and catches. The price of Is 6d to 2s 6d per pelt is no good to any trapper. Unless he gets 7s 6d (lowest)' ■for his pelts, they are ,no good to biinP

Russia has been clumping furs on the Continent, and ha s paralysed the Colonial trade. Times might improve ip the future, and ft’s sheer madness to denude our ground of fur for the sake of a hob or two per pelt. The tmib will arrive when <fur will come into its own again, and till then it i s better for the /Society to hold back, as the .revenue that will cbme to them later will recompense them for any closed s«aeon.

Some will say that opos s ums .will absorb surplus labour, but that is all “moonshine.” Take last year, with skins from 6d to Is 6d, *apd we have just as much employment now as then. I .am writing to the Minister of Internal Affairs, pointing out the fallacy of opening a. season on the West Coa'ri here. If furs were valuable, that would he .a 'different matter. I have spoken to some of the chief opossum hunters in this district and they are unanimous in their opinion, on account of low prices for furs,, to keep a close season. If the Society ha,-, a few pounds to spare, and can get a man to go through somo parts |of this district, it might pay them handsomely, but they want to get busv also, and declare a close season. Times as at present will not be always with us, and .it is up to us to conserve our interests till better times come. The opossum industry has been galloped to a standstill, and it behoves the local authorities to call a halt. Don’t kill the goose that lays tho golden eggs. Thanking you for your space, I am, etc.. J. TIMPSON. Woodstock.