PROTECTION OF GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 19 September 1929, Page 13

PROTECTION OF GAME.

COMBATING MANY PESTS,

ACCLIMATISATION WORK.

DEER PROBLEM DISCUSSED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. There was a record attendance at the 18th conference of the New Zealand Acclimatisation Society, which was held today. Mr. L. 0. H, Tripp presided. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, showing a credit of £226, the chairman said that in the protection of native birds and game the societies were up against stoats, weasels, cats and hedgehogs. Trapping in the society's reserves had been considered, but it was resolved that it would be waste of time, as vermin were so numerous. In the year before last 31,000 rats and 2500 stoats and other vermin had been caught in Wellington districts, and this year a record would be established in some districts. Native birds were on tho increase, and this had been due to trapping.

Mr. Tripp spoke of culling operations by the Wellington Society, which should keep deer in check. Deer had not been introduced by the society. Taking off protection was no way to cure the deer problem. The only way was to employ men to kill them off systematically. Inquiries showed that opossums did no damage to forests, birds or bird foods, as they look berries from the ground.

The elect ion of officers resulted :—President, Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp (Wellington); vice-president, Mr. C. A. Whitney (Auckland); treasurer, Mr. J. F. Dyer (Wellington); council, Messrs. F. E. McKenzio (Auckland), F. 11. Stockwcll (Feilding), F. J. Dargaville (Ifobson), J. llurnc (Nelson), C. If. Lawrence (North Canterbury), C. A. Wilson (Otago). T. R. Mackay (South Canterbury), J. Cilkison (Southland), J. A. McKcnzie (Tauranga), H. J. Duigan (Wanganui). E. J. C. Wiflfin (Wellington), J. S. Fleming (Wellington).