ACCLIMATISATION WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19891, 9 March 1928, Page 10

ACCLIMATISATION WORK.

NEW BIRD SANCTUARY. LARGE AREA AT CLEVEDON. The council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society met last evening, the president, Mr. C. A. Whitney, presiding. On the recommendation of the Matamata and Papakura clubs, the following honorary rangers were appointed:— Messrs. Charles Stuart and Arthur Harrison, Tahuna; E. P. Overy, Clevedon; W. T. Dudcr and Arthur Roberts, Maraetai; Joseph Sunjich, Moumoukai; Charles Hay, Eamarama and W. Halliday, Papakura. Mr. E. J. Gregory, Auckland, was also appointed. The secretary, Mr. C. M. Gordon, reported that during the financial year now ending the society had paid bounties on 12,391 pairs of hawks' feet. A letter was received from Mr. E. P. Overy stating that a number of farmers at Clevedon had offered to close 5766 acres there as a bird sanctuary, provided that 50 pheasants were liberated on the property. These farms extended for seven miles along the North Clevedon Road, reaching down to Duder's Beach. Ths Papakura Acclimatisation Club supported the offer. It was resolved to accept the closure and to take steps to have the area gazetted as a sanctuary next year, while an allotment of birds will be sent at the council's discretion. As there existed a considerable amount of misconception in some quarters regarding the mallard duck, which the society is about to liberate, a committee was set up to consider the question of issuing a pamphlet dealing with the habits and characteristics of this bird for the enlightenment of both sportsmen and breeders.