DESTRUCTION BY ANIMALS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 90, 14 March 1935, Page 9

DESTRUCTION BY ANIMALS.

IN NATIVE FORESTS. EXTERMINATION URGED. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. . In the absence of Sir Francis Bell, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes moved that in the opinion of the Council the Government should take active and effective steps to exterminate deer and wild goats, which were doing irreparable damage to native forests, many of which, if not more zealously protected, would inevitably be destroyed. Sir Heaton Rhodes said the motion had been tabled for the purpose of drawing attention to the damage done by deer and in order to bring about their extermination. The destruction of forests by deer and goats. was. having a serious effect on the bird life of the Dominion, and from the point of view of the city dweller was destroying the bush on the watersheds from which the towns derived their water supply. , Hon. C. J. Carrington seconded the motion and urged the Government to combat the deer and goat menace immediately. The damage done to New Zealand bush by wild animals was more extensive than most people believed. Hon. F. Waite suggested that moose and wapiti should he destroyed, in addition to red deer. Hon- J. Alexander said a small section of the sporting public might be inclined to think their privileges were being curtailed by the motion, but incalculable damage was being done by insidious public enemies to New Zealand’s natural heritage. Hon. D. Buddo said the destruction of forests by deer was having a serious effect on the water supply of Canterbury. Hon. G. J. Anderson said widespread damage had been done by deer on Stewart Island. Hon. R. Masters, Leader of the Council, said that since 1908 the amount spent by the Government on the destruction of deer had grown from £328 to £5186 in 1931. For the current year the estimate was £4OOO, and it was expected that the Government would obtain £2OOO in revenue. The Government was sympathetic with the objects of the motion. The motion was carried.