CONSERVING GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21647, 13 November 1933, Page 14

CONSERVING GAME

CLOSE SEASON OPPOSED OPINIONS IN THE NORTH [ from our own corrf.spondknt] AVHANGAREI, Saturday A conference of North Auckland Acclimatisation Societies was held at AYhangarei last evening, Mr. J. \Y. | Parkin, president of the \\ hangarci Society, was appointed chairman. The j chairman stated the chief object of tho conference was to consider ways and means of improving the sport and to consider certain suggestions from the Bird Protection Society. A letter was received from Mr. F. F. McKcnzie, president of the Auckland Society, notifying that the Auckland Society had decided to have a close season in 1935 and charge a licence fee of L2 in 1936, the duck limit to be 15 and pheasants six. Mr. C. H. Drysdale, of the Auckland Society, who was present, said that a close season required extra rangers to keep it close and additional expenditure to keep down vermin. If North Auckland kept open and Auckland closed the game in the North would be shot out. "I can astire you that the move to close in 1935 did not come from Auckland," said Mr. Drysdale.* Although he was not at liberty to say more, the Auckland Society had important information which warranted him strongly advising North Auckland societies to close in 1935. Mr. Parkin said that tho North's experience in closing in 1932 was that bird life had not increased. Controlling vermin and providing rangers cost half the societies' revenue, yet- the birds were decreasing in the Whangarci district. "If we accede to the request of the Auckland Society to close in 1935 wo should approach the Bird Protection Society for financial assistance in keeping down vermin," ho said. Mr. G. Andrews (Hokianga) said his district was one in which bird life was on the increase. Tho shooting hist year was better than in previous seasons and in several instances bags totalling 50 birds were obtained. He was not in favour of an increased license fee as suggested bv Auckland. Mr. It. W. James said he was very much opposed to a close season in 1035. "If a close season is observed vermin will increase rapidly," he said. "The Bird Protection Society, which is doing good work, should assist lis in keeping down verur.n. Small bird life is vital to the North in keeping down the grass grub, which is such a great menace to tiio North." It was decided that, while the conforonco was sympathetic to tho Auckland Society's desire for a close season in 1935, it could not see its way to fall into line, but would assist to its utmost in the destruction of vermin. The conference also decided tha' 1 the Bird Protection Society and the Government be asked to subsidise tho work of destroying vermin. A further resolution was passed that, after full discussion and from experiences of northern societies, the conference suggested to all other societies in the Dominion that additional sanctuaries were the best means of protection of native game.