OPOSSUMS IN RANGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 10

OPOSSUMS IN RANGES

TRAPPING AT WAITAKERE

CITY COUNCIL'S CAMPAIGN

COMBATING DAMAGE TO BUSH

The experiment of allowing opossum trappers to operate in its water reserves in the Waitakere Ranges, tried by the City Council last year, proved so satisfactory, in that large numbers of opossums and other vermin were killed, that the council has decided this year to extend the area over which the trappers may work. Last year only one party was authorised by' the council and the trapping was confined to the Nihotupu area. Altogether 811 opossums were caught but, in addition, 2000 rats and four wild cats were taken in the traps. The removal of these animals from the bush area has helped to keep the watershed free from pollution. Opossums are now fairly plentiful in the ranges and they are known to do a certain amount of damage to the trees, eating the foliage and tearing the bark. It- is desirable that they should be kept in check as, apart from the damage they do to council property, many complaints have been received from property owners on the fringe of the reserve who have reported damage to orchards and gardens by opossums bred in the bush.

This year the council is calling tenders for the right to trap opossums over an area of 7600 acres in the Nihotupu and Waitakere portions of thereserve. On receipt of the tenders the council will decide whether to let the rights over the whole area to one person or to let tho two portions to separate persons'. Care will be taken to see that the native flora and fauna are protected, and the successful trapper will be required to see that all carcases are buried or 'otherwise disposed of, while he will not bo permitted to take firearms, dogs or other animals into the reserves.

Last year the trapper sold his 811 skins at an average of 6s each, and under his arrangement he paid 10 per cent of the gross proceeds to the council as royalty. This year applicants are being asked to state what royalty they are prepared to pay. This may be either a fixed sum per skin or a percentage of the gross proceeds of the sale of the skins. In order Jhat'the conditions may be strictly enforced the council is stipulating that the successful applicant must conduct the trapping personally, no sub-letting or transfer, of rights being permitted.