DESTRUCTION BY GOATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20424, 28 November 1929, Page 13

DESTRUCTION BY GOATS.

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK. TWO MEN KILL HUNDREDS. [BT TELEGRAPH' —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Wednesday. The extent, of the damage done to the bush in Egmont National Park by goats was emphasised at a meeting of the Park Board on Monday. The chief ranger reported that the two men who had been engaged to kill goats in the reserves had accounted for 130 goats in six days last week, bringing the total killed to date to 1012.

The merf had been able to move freely about the Kaitakere Ranges. This area was found to be fairly free of goats, only nine being encountered and killed. The undergrowth was again coming away an<t if the goats were kept out it would not be long before the bush was regenerated. The party had shifted camp to the Pouakai Ranges, where goats in largo numbers existed. It was difficult to make much progress here owing to the nature of the country and the absence of tracks. Notwithstanding this, the men, who had a good pack of dogs, had bagged 136 in six days. Trees had been barked and the undergrowth and floor of the forest destroyed. If the weather remained suitable the party should be able to account for many hundreds of goats before the winter.

The chairman, Mr. T. C. List, reported that the Government had made a special grant of £l7O toward the work of goat destruction this year. With the money voted by the board, £l5O, they would have £320 available for the purpose.