POISONING BEST

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32501, 8 November 1944, Page 5

POISONING BEST

KILLING OFF WILD PIGS PROBLEM ON PENINSULA ACTION BY COUNTY COUNCILS That poisoning, by injections of carbon bisulphide and phosphorous into carcases left near the animals’ haunts, was the best method for eradicating the wild pigs on the Coromandel Peninsula was the opinion expressed by Mr R. H. Christie, the stock inspector, Thames, when addressing the November meeting of the Thames District Council of Primary Production. Mr Christie gave an assurance that the Department of Agriculture would assist in any way possible and. that a subsidy in the form of a refund for money expended by the Coromandel County Council would be available.

Mr Christie stated that experience in the King Country had shown that best results from poisoning were obtained by injection of carbon bisulphide and phosphorus into carcases, which pigs ate. This had been found after several methods were tried. It was better to skin the carcases. County councils there had taken the matter up with a small subsidy from his department. In this area the poisoning had met with wonderful success and it was claimed the pig menace was under- control. The carbon

bi-sulphide and phosphorus were injected into the carcases with a syringe. It was a slow poisoning, so the pigs were therefore not seen lying about on the spot.

Mercury Bay Results

One man who had tried this poison had counted as many as 35 dead pigs, away from the scene of the poisoning, in some instances. Shooting might help to keep the pigs in check, but poisoning was the only effective method of securing control. Asked by Mr W. Hamilton (Whenuakite) if the pigs showed any preference for particular kinds of carcases, Mr Christie said it depended on what the pigs would take. Mr Hamilton asked if it would be safe to eat wild" pork with poison about. Mr Christie said it probably would if the pig was running about. The poison would show itself in reasonable time. Dogs eating the dead pigs would be poisoned. . Mr Hamilton said the Coromandel County Council had not so far taken action about this matter, because it was relying on the meeting of the production council to formulate a scheme for utilising £5O available for control measures.

Concerted Effort

Mr Christie said that, whatever was done, a concerted effort must be made and it should not be left to individuals here and there. Details about ammunition available for shooters were also given by Mr Christie. Every genuine farmer who wanted shotgun ammunition for shooting received a permit, and it was a question after that of securing the ammunition. The rifle position had also eased.

Mr D. Courtney (Matatoki), said the Thames County was interested to a certain extent and asked about the liability of local bodies for any stock poisoned. Mr Christie said he thought dogs were the only animals likely to be aff°f , ted.

Mr C. W, Schultz (Neatea) said he thought it a matter for the county

councils concerned to take control and attempt to organise efforts. The Thames County Council should be interested as far as Hikuai was concerned, said Mr Hamilton. The opinion was expressed by Mr Courtney that the Forestry Department should be asked to eradicate pigs in its own lands. As far as the Thames County was concerned the menace came from forestry lands, which did not pay rates, and the department should have some responsibility.

On the motion of Mr Schultz, it was decided to suggest that the county councils concerned take control of the destruction of pigs and make an effort to put into practice systematic poisoning, taking advan+age of any subsidy that A resolution r-«c p l -o wja 4 exnressmg annrec ; p A * , 'n of activity of Mr J. Thom. M p . m * Vl ’s matter. <4 TTe acted: very T '' r ''mptly. and certainly did 9 11 ” said the secretary, Mr 3. E» Green.