LICENSING NATIVE GAME.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 548, 8 March 1913, Page 5

LICENSING NATIVE GAME.

LIMITATION OF BAGS. PROTECTION OF PIGEONS. The matter of licensing native game came up for discussion at the Acclimatisation Conference last night The chairman (Colonel Hazard) said the subject had been threshed out frequently, and the societies were agreed upon the matter. He suggested that the Government be again petitioned on the question. He thought there was a good chance of having the matter adjusted. Captain Elliott said he thought every rod and gun club in the country should appoint delegates to place the matter personally before the Minister for Internal Affairs. The matter had been the subject of one petition after another, and they should adopt more direct means. Mr Moorhouse moved that it be a remit to be placed before the Minister - that the general licence to shoot game be 20s and that licenses to shoot native game be imposed at of 10s. The motion was seconded by Mr Starr. Mr Littleproud and others supported the motion. Mr G. Elliott said that in reference to the imposition of a license the pigeon should be considered. During the open season for these birds they were being slaughtered wholesale. He thought the season should be altered as it now ODened too early and many young birds were being destroyed in consequence. He also considered the Maoris would strongly object to pay a license. He thought some effort should be made with a view of protecting the pigeon,which was being gradually exterminated. After considerable discussion; in which Major Lusk. Captain Elliott and others took part, the motion was put and carried. Mr G. Elliott, in moving that it be a recomendation that the bag for all native game be restricted to 2d per gun per day, said that such a restriction would prevent the wholesale slaughter of pigeons, whch was carried on at present. The motion was seconded by Mr Moorhouse and carried. On a further motion by Mr Elliott to limit the pigeon shooting season to the month of July, considerable discussion took place, and the motion was eventually defeated.