GAME PHEASANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22543, 7 October 1936, Page 17

GAME PHEASANTS

FEBRUARY LIBERATIONS MANY AREAS TO BE STOCKED Pheasant liberations in the Auckland Province during .the next four years will bo treble those of recent seasons. Contracts for the purchase of 16,000 birds over that period were recently let by the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. The first consignment of 1700 is to be ready for distribution in February by the 30 sub-societies. Each will receive a quota in proportion to its area-of suitable country. Next July an additional 1050 cock birds will be liberated.

Ihe West Coast has proved a haven for the pheasant, according to Mr. F. E. McKenzie, president of the Auckland Society, who said yesterday that the birds thrived around the Helensville. Raglan, Kawhia and Taumarunui districts. Under the next liberation Taumarunui and Coromandcl authorities will receive over 100 birds, and the smaller branches, such as Helensville, Wellsford and Putaruru, will be allowed about half that number. Everywhere stocks should improve with each succeeding season.. Fully-grown birds are desirable for liberation, although it has been found that if birds are held in captivity there is heavy mortality in the crowded pons of the breeding farms. Moreover, the expense of feeding those retained for breeding purposes, after the liberation of the others, has proved a drain on the society's funds. "The , increased licence fees have brought about distinct progress," said Mr. McKenzie "Everything over £1 now pays for game liberations, and the same will be dono with fish."