HISTORIC PIGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 17 December 1936, Page 2

HISTORIC PIGS

CAPTAIN COOK BREED DESTRUCTION ON ISLANDS The final extermination of the small wild pig community which existed for about a century and a-quarter on the Poor Knight islands, off Cape Brett, closes aii interesting chapter in the early history of New Zealand. The pigs were given to the Maori inhabitants by Captain Look, and because of their destruction of valuable botanical and zoological life an expedition recently visited Ihe islands at the instance of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry (states the “N.Z. Herald”). Reporting on his observations, Captain G. E. Yerex, head of the fields division of the Department of Internal Affairs, said the Maori inhabitants were massacred between 1816 and 1819, and it was probable that, as the islands had not since been inhabited, the pigs were the last remaining direct and pure-blooded, descendants of those brought by Captain Cook. It soon became apparent to the expedition that tlieiv number was small, owing to many having been killed within the pievious six months.

CARNT V 0 R CITS IT A P.TTS Ten were tracked down, including three sows, and extermination wag confidently felt to be complete. One of <the sows and all the boars were m poor condition and of stunted growth. They were all of almost pure Berkshire type, differing only from domesticated Berkshires by having a luxuriant growth of hair, resulting no doubt from many generations of life in a feral state. ’ One sow was a pictures of health. The pork from it had a strong fishy flavour, similar to that of mutton birds. This pointed to its having adopted omnivorous habits. The entire absence of very young pigs pointed to the possibility of her having also been a cannibal, which was not uncommon. Ihe nigs were scattered singly over the whole island, indicating that a scarcity of food compelled them to abandon their usual gregarious habits. OTHER LIFE ON THE ISLANDS The opinion was expressed that the depredations of the pigs were causing a oradual and detrimental change m the* forest association of the southern island. The previously much-varied vegetation was being replaced by a forest composed almost of pohutukawa. The bird life of the island was abundant, including red-fronted parrakeets, bell birds, rails, ground larks, kingfishers, blackbirds, chaffinches, blue crane, petrels and terns. Tuataras were found to be numerous cn the southern island, living m warrens of considerable area. In some cases they were visible from outside, ana as Urn ground was soft and often entirely free from rocks their capture by pigs would be an easy matter. Moveover, the reptiles made no attempt to escape from the burrows when danger approached Other lizards, giant W and numerous species of snails weie also discovered. FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS Referring to the report, Mr Parry said he considered such expeditions undertaken. to kill pests to be especially valuable 'Tie had authority to proceed With a policy of vigorous destruction of all pests inimical to the welfare of na tive bush and bird life, winch were a sacred heritage of the people. « to be hoped a future report would be made on deer destruction as definite as that on wild pigs. . . , The Minister added that arising out of the investigations recommendations were being considered to include the islands in a comprehensive system oi policing and ranging, extending also to Karewa, Mayor, Mokolnno, Hen and Chickens, Three Kings and other islands and groups.