THE POOR KNIGHTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22518, 8 September 1936, Page 11

THE POOR KNIGHTS

HARM DONE BY PIGS EXTERMINATION INTENDED [UT TELEGHAPH —OWN WILVNGAREI, Monday Owing to the destruction of vegetation and small animal life, pigs will no longer be allowed to multiply on the Poor Knights Islands, which lie 15 miles off the coast midway between Bream Head and Cape Brett. This decision of the„Government was made known to-day by Mr. G. F. Yerex, head of the field staff of the Department of Internal Affairs and inspector under the Animals Protection and Game Act, who with companions passed through Whangarei to-day after a week's sojourn on the islands. "The pigs served the Maori population for many years, but since the islands have become uninhabited they have done a great deal of destruction to animal and vegetable life," said Mr. Yerex. "Our expedition killed as many pigs as possible, but there are still many more to be destroyed." Tlio value of the islands as a sanctuary was threatened by the presence of the pigs," Mr. Yerex added. Tuatara lizards and native snails were among the rare forms of animal life on the islands, and the snails had been practically wiped out. The expedition had been very successful, and valuable data had been obtained for the use of the department.