Opossum Trappers Complain of Poaching

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 47, 25 February 1938, Page 8

Opossum Trappers Complain of Poaching

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY MEETING Mr. E. G. Matthews presided at a meeting of the executive of the Palmerston North branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last evening. The pheasant allocations for 1938 (with 1937 figures in parentheses) were advised as 1000 (740) for the whole district. The detailed figures fot the west side of the ranges are: Taihape 70 (60), Mangaweka 45 (35), Hunterville 40 (30), Marton 30 (25), Turakiua 30 (25), Feilding 75 (0), Palmerston North 150 (130), Tokomaru 35 (30), Shannon 25 (20), KoputaroaLevin 60 (50), Man&k&n 15 (10), Te Horo 15 (10), Waikanae 30 (20). The executive thought the allocations very fair and a committee was appointed to help the ranger (Mr. T. Andrews) with the liberation of the Palmerston North quota. The annual meeting of the branch was fixed for March 17. A deputation of opossum trappers waited on the meeting urging that representations be made to the Government for more rangers to put a stop to poaching. They also asked for wholesale liberations of opossums but tho chairman pointed out that there were those who held the opinion that the animal should be exterminated, the argument being that they did damage in the forests. The deputation also suggested that private landowners should not be allowed to sell skins but simply to shoot the animals if they wanted to get rid of the opossums.

In answer to the suggestion that the opossum trapper was a nuisance in the bush, the deputation pointed out that the traps took a heavy toll of weasels and stoats which were enemies of bird life. The opossum was not a menace to bird life.

The chairman said the previous Government had taken the opossum revenue away from the Acclimatisation Societies and in consequence the societies had lost control of the situation. However, the society would be pleased to give every assistance. The deputation wanted a heavier penalty for poaching to encourage the rangers to go out and detect those operating without licenses. Ranger Andrews directed attention to good country at the head of the Pohangina valley which would carryopossums. The chairman agreed to place the deputation’s suggestions before the next meeting of the Wellington council.