DESTRUCTION OF DEER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 August 1933, Page 4

DESTRUCTION OF DEER

WATERSHED OF THE WAIMAKARIRI CAMPAIGN PLANNEE An intensive and systematic campaign of deer destruction in the watersheds of the Waimakariri and Hurunui rivers is shortly to be opened by the Department of Internal Affairs, the Waimakariri River Trust contributing £.200 towards the cost (reports the Christchurch “Press”). Concern was recently expressed by members of the trust at the ravages of deer in the watersheds, and the fear was expressed that, unless their depredations were checked, serious trouble might arise. The department had no intention of destroying deer in this area this year, but it had been induced- by the trust to make an early start. In a letter to the board the Under-Sec. ertary for Internal Affairs, Mr Malcolm Fraser, said it would be useless to operate in one area unless simultaneous action were taken in adjacent ones. While there had been no intention of carrying out deer destruction operations this year with departmental parties in the localities about which the trust was concerned, it had been decided, with the approval of the Minister for Internal Affairs, the Hon. J. A. Young, to do the work. Following past practice, an extensive campaign would bo carried out,, and while it was impossible to form any definite estimate of the cost, it was apparent that it would be very much in excess of the trust’s proposed contribution of £2OO.

Skins would be saved when it would pay to do so, but even assuming they were all sold, there would still be a substantial deficiency. The campaign would be conducted syestematically, and it would include a reconnaisanco of the country. Operations would bo extended to all areas necessary to stamping out the menace. The department would, therefore, undertake the campaign if tho trust would contribute £2OO toward the cost.

The chairman, Mr J. 11. Blackwell, said that at a previous meeting the trust had agreed to spend up to £2OO on deer destruction, provided it had the legal right to do so and that the Department of Internal Affairs agreed to undertake systematic operations along tho same lines. It had been ascertained that the trust had power to spend the money, and the department’s attitude was satisfactory. On tho motion of Professor R. Speight, it was decided to spend tho money to assist in the campaign of deer destruction.