Shooting of Paradise Duck and the Kea Menace.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3901, 11 June 1929, Page 4

Shooting of Paradise Duck and the Kea Menace.

MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS INTERVIEWED. A deputation consisting of members of the Lakes District Acclimatisation Society waited on the Hon. P. A* de la Perrelle (Minister of Internal Affairs) in regard to one or two matters. . Dr. W. A. Anderson, president of the Society, extended a formal welcome to the' Minister and offered the congratulations of the Society on his elevation to Cabinet rank. The Council commended the Minister for the stand which he had taken up in connection with an open season for Paradise duck. This class of game, said Dr.' Anderson, was never likely to become extinct in the Lakes District. On the other hand they were (very plentiful and in some cases were becoming a menace to gardeners and crops. As far as breeding was concerned, it was beneficial to break up big mobs of ducks during the shooting season. It had been proved that unless they are shot at the ducks will not as readily divide off in pairs. In these circumstances the Lakes Society were always desirous of an open season for Paradise duck. Dr. Anderson then mentioned the matter of lack of food in the lake. The Society had liberated many thousands of brown trout in the lakes and streams in the district, but the fish did not increase to the satisfaction of the Society. He thought that the 'Fisheries Department might be able to advise the introduction of some type of food into the lake. In regard to the kea menace, Dr. Andecson said that his Society was in accord with the movement of the sheep-owners te retain the subsidy for destruction of keas. Mr A. Simson also spoke, in support of the retention of the subsidy. Major Mackenzie, who said he had lived on Walter Peak Station all his life, spoke from his intimate knowledge of the habits of the Paradise duck. He could say that at times these birds came in from the back country and decended on the turnip and grain fields and played havoc with them. If the Paradise duck is protected it will be found that the farmers will simply shoot them in spite of the regulations. The speaker supported the president, of the Society in regard to the wisdom.of breaking up the mobs and thus conducing to prolific mating and breeding. He also commended the Minister for the stand that he took against newspaper controversy in regard to an open season. Mr D. H. Cockburn endorsed the remarks of previous speakers in regard to the depredations of the Paradise duck. The speaker also referred to the ravages of the kea. Un>mistakeable evidence could be given in regard to sheep mortality which was attributable to the kea. In this connection he referred to the experience of one of his brothers, who had actually knocked the kea off the sheep's back with a stick and had killed the bird in so doing. Mr Cockburn suggested that Government officers might be given a little freer hand re killing keas in national parks. Mr J. Mackenzie, Mt. Nicholas Station, also spoke of the kea as a very serious menace to sheep. In severe winters the keas came in from the back country and did considerable damage. In good seasons they were not so destructive. He and his partners had watched the birds very closely and could say definitely that they had lost several hundred sheep through the agency of the kea. He hoped that the Government would continue the subsidy. Mr L. Mann bore out the remarks of previous speakers in reference to an open season for Paradise duck. Mr J. J. Mcßride, secretary of the Society, informed the Minister that the runholders whose rents had been increased, naturally looked for greater protection for their flocks from the ravages of the Kea. The Hon de la Perrelle thanked the president of the Society for his congratulations. In reference to declaring a short season for the shooting of Paradise duck, he was tackled for his action from north, south, east and west, but he stuck to his guns. He was not concerned with newspaper correspondence. His Department circularised all the Societies and the secretary of the Lakes Society, Mr J. J. Mcßride, in his reply, put the position in a nutshell. If the critics would go out into the highways and by-ways they might have a different' opinion regarding the Paradise duck. The Minister said he realised that the acclimatisation societies were doing good work in the Dominion and he could be guided by their advice in such matters. He was pleased to hear of the approval of his action from the Lakes Society. In regard to the lack of food, he would sec the head of the Fisheries Dept. and ask him to furnish information on the subject and, if necessary, would arrange for an expert to visit the district and discuss the matter with the Society. Replying to the representations'made in reference to the kea menace, the Minister stated that * he had noted same and would strongly oppose any move to withdraw the Government subsidy. Regarding the destruction of keas in national parks he would go into this matter and see ii the birds increased to any extent in these areas. The deputation then thanked the Minister and withdrew.