VERMIN SHOULD BE TACKLED

Northern Advocate, 24 June 1937, Page 5

VERMIN SHOULD BE TACKLED

Protection Of Young Birds

Reference to the menace of ground vermin to young birds was made by the deputation from the Whangarei Acclimatisation Society, which waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, yesterday, in reference to/ acclimatisation matters. After a discussion on other aspects of acclimatisation work, Mr S. J. Snow said that from his observations over a long period, he was satisfied it was useless to undertake a big campaign for the rearing and liberation of game birds if the ground vermin were to be allowed to increase and take their toll without restraint.

Should be Cleaned Out. The ground vermin, at least, should be cleaned out before any major campaign for rearing and liberating young birds was undertaken. He considered, after or in conjunction with a vigorous policy for the destruction of vermin, it Would be well to evolve a scheme part of Which should be the retaining until after the season of the cock birds, and then liberate them in districts in which sportsmen had reported there were a number of hen pheasants. The young birds should be liberated at 12 weeks. Selfish Shooters. The Minister agreed that vermin should be tackled; 'He had been told that many shooters: were selfish and would not now use their ammunition on hawks, but were waiting until they should be paid for their destruction. That seemed ridiculous-—to expect payment for the destruction of something that Was taking its toll from the sport for which they themselves had to pay. ; ■ v: ■ ■ ■ • r • 7 He considered organised expeditions should be arranged for the destruction of hawks and other vermin. Mr Snow asked the Minister if he could assist the society by supplying it with propaganda as to how best to get rid of the stoat. : Display for Show. He mentioned that the Agricultural Department was haying a display at the Whangarei Winter Show of traps for the catching of such pests. The Minister explained that stoats could be caught by means of pieces of piping with traps at the end. He stated that the Department of Internal Affairs was endeavouring to build, up a market for the skins of stoats. If that were accomplished there,,would be a big incentive for trappers to hunt the animal, as he understood skins were valued at about' 7/6 each.