NOXIOUS ANIMALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12909, 4 July 1905, Page 7

NOXIOUS ANIMALS.

| Sir, —I orave space in your excellent paper I for a few words 011 acclimatisation, past and present. This glorious country— at least it would: be if wo had a Government worthy of the name—was at one time free of noxious animals and birds. The Englishman, with his love of home, may be pardoned for his desire to hear, in this land of his adoption, those melodies that charmed him in his youth. To-day wo have the skylark, finches, thrushes, and last, but by no means least, the übiquitous sparrow. It is now conceded that the colony would be a gainer without the three last-named. The rabbit was introduced, with results'too well' known, particularly down South; and as if fearful of a 'further, aid to their increase the powers now debar the small boy from keeping pet rabbits they might possibly, ©scape. Next,' the weasel was introduced to exterminate the rabbits. The former being protected for a time by a heavy penalty, they, multiplied very rapidly, as the poultry owner iias learnt to his cost; for every schoolboy who has read aught of natural history well knows this animal, prefers feathers to fur. Presently Our insect-eating birds will have .disappeared,' and we need more of them., for the insects are increasing all too rapidly, as the fruitgrower knows too well. A few months ago a number of wild animals reached here from America, including several raccoons. As th\se animals were consigned to " the New Zealand Government," powers at Wellington should be held strictly to account for all depredations such " pets" are sure to commit. It is quite possible Mr. Scddon contemplates sotting up as a dealer in furs, after November next. * Who knows? Hence the '' Coons." We read ' these delectable vermin _ Were encaged at Rotorua, where it was decided to keep them for " nobody knew much about the . raccoon, as Mr. Donne was out of the country" wrote a correspondent. (Perhaps it would be as well for Mr. Donne not to go away.) Now wo- learn these animals are at 'large! • Most small boys like natural history studies, stud' doubtless could inform, the powers as to the habits of the raccoon. The writer lived for several years in America, where a constant, war is waged against this animal, for the raccoon has a bad reputation; he is very foild of fruit and maize, and prefers leathers to fur every time. Such form his _ bill of fare, and ho multiplies _ rapidly. The . skin is valuable, and it takes a first-class dog to down him, for, he will fight with all the vim of a wild cat. Recently ft doctor at Wellington suggested the ijitro duction of the brown bear.' Evidently the worthy medico is a sporting man. Probably he refers to that lively animal known in the Western States as the Cinnamon bear. Tho doctor would 'find matters very interesting if lie met one. . While we are in the. acclimatisation mood'why not introduce the grizzly, for have we not plenty of mountain rant;e? A few black panthers also; a few wolves, Tasmanian dbvils, ami as variety is said to be the spice of life, include the South Amerioan jaguar, and the tiger, Rattle snalkes would aud to the list, and the African wamba— more later 011. In this acclimatisation, of the past we see too plainly the hand of the amateur, for " nobody knew much about the raccoon." Tho fact is we are governed by amateurs, and the sooner they are retired the better for Now Zealand. Devonian. ,