SCARCITY OF GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16567, 16 June 1917, Page 8

SCARCITY OF GAME.

,- , — ♦ . - ILLEGAL DEPREDATIONS. Comment on the dearth, of game in certain districts was made at last evening's meeting of the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. Mr. C. A. Whitney said he had travelled extensively in the Bay of Plenty this season, and frequently traversed mile* without sighting a single quail, in district* where a few years ago there were thousands of birds. At Rangariri, one of the finest feeding sanctuaries in the Waikato, there were practically no ducks; all had been shot. In ii great number of instances the dearth of birds could be ascribed to the depredation* of persons who were not imbued with, the sporting instinct and also to people shooting without licenses. In the latter connection, the society's ranger had done good wort. Recently at Helensville, four convictions were obtained against person for shooting without licenses, a fine of 1* and costs being imposed .in each case. Three others charged with trespass were fined £1 and costs each. However one ranger was not sufficient to cover the" society « district- Mr. Whitney instanced districts, covering thousands of acres where not a single license was taken out although in many cases the sportsmen were not snooting on their own lands. On Mr Whitney g motion an assistant ranger was apfiointed temporarily. *