SHOOTING LICENSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15265, 1 April 1913, Page 4

SHOOTING LICENSES.

Sir,A rather tmsatisfacfcory position for sportsmen has arisen this year regarding - --; the question of licenses for shooting imported game,since the prosecution instituted. ' .J by the HoTiaon Society against a sportsman : ;:p shooting in their district with an Auckland. ;>r liccnse was decided in favour of the-, former ; -?f society by the magistrate. The law now holds that a person nhoofcing in any one -i' acclimatisation district must obtain a license v ; from the society governing that district, at | a payment* of £1. As there are 'several J . acclimatisation societies immediately, sur- V rounding Auckland, a sportsman, to be abso- . lutely sure of his position, would have to expend __ several pounds. This hardly seems to be in keeping with the fishing regula- .m; tion!?, for, by the payment of £1, a person V may fish in any. part of the Dominion dur-/,|W; ing the season. Of course, the fishing ia 'V c/;superintended Lv the Government, but why£s:.v could the Govennent not also lake- charge'J 4 1 of all iniported and native game? Or may' V I suggest that a system Of endorsing licenses > " be inaugurated whereby a sportsman pur- .. . chafing- & license in:- Auckland may, on arrival, say, in DargavOle, present his • i license to the secretory there, and get - , authority to shoot in the Hobson district, the latter society then receiving a portion ' of the fee paid to Auckland, or vice versa. v To help cover the deficiency in revenue brought about by this system,*J would suggest that a small fee be charged for. shoot- v ' ing native game. I hope the <>nergetio , president of our Auckland Society will take . . this matter up if his society is in iavour of , ■ my suggestions, for t by so doing, he will » bo showing consideration really due to the y sportsman. Hkte'iislist.