GAME SHOOTING SEASON.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 74, 4 April 1910, Page 2

GAME SHOOTING SEASON.

CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS BY

THE GOVERNMENT

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 his Excellency the Governor to suspend the operation of the section as regards black swan, grey duck, and imported game for a period of one month from the 14th of i May next. This will apply only to i bhose districts that have specially ap- j plied for an open season and only to bhose varieties of game for which j 3xemption from the provisions of the Act has been asked. The Hon. Mr Buddo, Minister of Internal Affairs, to whom wo are inlebted for the information, states j that he has reluctantly decided to j recommend this course. The evidence i jefore him is very conflicting Many j spoilsmen and farmers in country j listricts recommend that the pro- j rision for a close season be adhered ; bo, while a number of Acclimatisation ; Societies, one Agricultural and .' Pastoral Association, and a few sportsmen in rural districts, strongly recommend an open season for at east some classes of game. The: Minister understands that consider- : able- benefit has been experienced in ; some of the States of America by . periodical close seasons, and considers ;hat the provision made by Parliament was generally right, but there is 10 doubt, he says, that quail are very plentiful in some bush districts, and ire becoming a serious menace to ;rass seed on newly sown bush land. Phe Minister also has evidence before lim that goes to show that quail are 'esponsible to some extent for the j spread of blackberry. No other ; variety of game seems to be over- ; ibundant, but the conditions gener- : illy appear to be such that it has )een decided to recommend an open lea Son for one month, as stated. i