CHAMOIS IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 9

CHAMOIS IN NEW ZEALAND.

COMMENTS £ROM AUSTRIA. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO . [from otra own cotwespondent. ] LONDON, July' IS. Captain T. E.. Donne, C.M.G., lha author of "Game Animals of New Zealand," has lately received ft teivver from Mr. James L Faifholtne, of Austria, in which ha writes:—"l have translated the whole of the part of y .or valuable bock, "The Gams Animals of New Zealand,' which relates to the chamois, and it is to be published ifs a series of articles that will appear in the important paper, 'Halali,' of Vienna. I know that it will greatly interost the sportsmen of Austria, as it has already interested the peasants ""'and keepers in our mountain# here, to whom I have already related that which you have written of the chamois in your book. With all you say regarding chamois, I perfectly agree, especially in your expressed opinion that tho shooting of them should bis deferred until they are thoroughly well established and then that driving them (should be absolutely forbidden. As you so definitely and rightly state, the Government, and the Government alone, can give the chamois tho chance of. development that it deserves." Sportsmen in the true- sense consider that chamois should be stalked by one hunter ana not driven in herds to concealed rifles. Mr. Fairholme adds that he has hunted chamois since he was a boy of 11 yesrs of age arid he has been at Wellenari, Bregeriz, since, 188S, having increased the ares* of forest from time to time by acquiring new lends; It now carries between 5w and 600 chamois. Ha goes on to say :--"! consider that tho high position which this forest holds today is due largely to the fact that I prohibited any driving by men or doge. I am happy to say that although the war affected me greatly, as wo could not get away in iimp and were therefor© interned and had to submit to very short rations as did everyone else, I am still able to climb the high and steep mounPrior to the war Mr. Fairholme was one of the commissioners of the International Sportsmen's Exhibition which took place in Vienna, and he was particularly m control of the British Empire exhibit. Ho savs that Franz Josef, the Emperor of Austria, was exceedingly interested in the exhibit of fed deer stag beads that were lent by Captain Donne, and the'j he made a prolonged visit to the court; asking Mr. Fairholme many qcestiomt UV regard to New Zealand and the cattses of such large and heavy antler production. He also expressed his (leligH ai the successful transport and aoclimitisation of chamois. wHBH