GAME CONSERVATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 11

GAME CONSERVATION

STEPS TO ARREST DECREASE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH <55 SOCIETIES FACING PROBLEM "The unanimous desire of delegates for conservation and research in relation to game and fresh water fish in New Zealand was noted with approval by the president of the New Zealand acclimatisation societies, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp,' * at the close of the conference," said Mr. F. E. MeKenzK, president of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, on his return from the meeting of delegates in Wellington. Mr. McKenzie said the need for conservation of both fish and game was recognised by every delegate. While game was slowly decreasing from natural causes,- such as destruction of cover and the consequent decrease in insect life, rabbit poisoning, and the draining of swamps in the case of water fowl, the number of guns was ever increasing. The efforts of societies in stocking new streams and restocking old streams, both with fish and fish food organisms, were meeting with success, but the number of rods and perhaps the skill of anglers was still on the increase. Hence the demand for conservation, and with it research was urgently necessary. The Size of Trout "The conference arranged finance for the fresh-water fish research committee to March, 1934," said Mr. McKenzie. "About £4OOO has been spent on freshwater fish research by societies, and already light has been thrown on many of the problems in our rivers and lakes. ( In tho meantime, and because results must necessarily be slow, some doubt as to the wisdom of further expenditure has been expressed. The Government is to be asked to assist in this national work out of opossum revenue. "On© good example of research work was commented on at the conference. Recently the minimum size, of takeable trout was increased by the Auckland Society from 10 to 12 inches, chiefly to maintain the existing stock in tho streams. Professor Percival, of Canterbury University, stated that recent research in the South Island had shown that the first spawning of female trout takes place between 10 and 12 inches in growth. 'Stocking streams by carrying fry from Rotorua, when it can be done by natural spawning, is like filling a tank with a cup instead of turning on the tap,' was a comment of a member of the fish research board after the meeting. To a certain extent a course was adopted by the Auckland Society by chance owhich research might have indicated years ago. - ' Poisoning Dangers Mention was made by Mr. McKenzie at the meeting of the need of research in regard to game. Discussion took place at the meeting of an Auckland remit to curtail the use of pollard poison for rabbits. This poison was taken readily by birds, with the result that certain territories had been denuded of game birds, native birds and small birds. Crickets, grass-grubs and insects had, consequently, got out of hand and constituted a greater evil than the rabbits. The Whangarei delegate had reported that, poison was laid on an area near Whangarei and next morning 67 large and 6mall birds, five hen pheasants, _ two cock pheasants and 12 rabbits were picked up. This illustrated the sacrifice of other lives in rabbit poisoning. It was decided to ask the Agriculture Department to recommend the use of some poison less readily taken by birds. Mr. McKenzie stated that the Auckland Society would probably be permitted to gazette regulations for the pegging and protection of duck-shooting "hides ' prior to the opening of the season.