ACCLIMATISATION WORK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 269, 13 October 1932, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION WORK.

CONFERENCE HELD

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. At the conference of New Zealand acclimatisation societies, Mr L. O. H. Tripp being in tho chair, a Southland proposal to prohibit the storage of native game in freezing works was defeated. The conference declined to adopt the Whangaroa proposal to give rangers power to inspect vehicles on roads for game taken illegally or search bags and luggage belonging to gun parties. PROTECTION OF NESTS. The Government is to be asked to make ait addition to the Animal Game Protection Act making it illegal to disturb nests where birds are nesting. An instance was cpioted where 300 black swan eggs were spoiled through being disturbed. It was agreed that permits to destroy pukeko be confined to May, June and July'. i Mr T. G. A. Harle (Ashburton) said pukekos had been seen to kill ducklings by dashing them against trees. Mr G. A. Whitney (Auckland) thought the protection could he removed. The pukeko was a cunning bird and could look after himself. Mr J. McDonald said the South Canterbury farmers would lay down poison unless a short season was granted. South Canterbury asked that protection bo removed from thq little gull from time to time. It was stated that they swarmed up the rivers 12 miles inland, raiding the young trout. Mr C. H. Lawrence (North Canterbury) said the little gulls were companionable fellows. They took a few trout, but not enough to justify the protection being removed, l The remit was lost. DESTRUCTION BY MAGPIES.

Mr H. J. Duigan (Wanganui) moved that the Government be requested to remove magpies from the list of protected birds in the Wanganui and Feilding districts owing to the numerous reports of their destroying protected birds. Mr F. H. Stockwell (Feilding) seconded the motion. Mr C. I. Dasent (Wellington) believed all magpies were killers when raising their young. He instanced the case of a lawn infested with grass grubs where three magpies in a month practically destroyed the grub. The president suggested that evidence against the magpie should be recorded. It would be better to leave tho protection on and apply for a permit in special cases. The remit was withdrawn.

FISH RESEARCH COMMITTEE.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Oct. 13. At the annual conference of acclimatisation societies to-day nothing but unqualified appreciation was heard with regard to the efforts of the Central Fish Research Committee and the results achieved. Full faith was expressed in the ultimate benefits of the scheme. Fifteen societies out of 40 are contributing, and the committee is to continue its work.