STATE GAME FARM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 12

STATE GAME FARM

NGONGOTAHA ACTIVITIES INCREASE IN CAPACITY [by telegraph OWN correspondent] KOTORUA. Friday In order to increase the capacity of the State game farm at Ngongotaha extensive alterations to the pens are at present being carried out by the Public Works Department. Rearing and breeding pens are being increased in size.

At the present time there arc about 1000 birds of varying ages in the pens. Assisted by the warm, dry weather, the breeding season so far has proved very successful and already some of the season's chicks have grown sufficiently to permit their removal to the main pens, which also contain many fullygrown birds from the previous season.

Liberations in various parts of the district are expected to commence some time next month. At the close of the last game shooting season between 700 and 800 birds were liberated from the farm and from these a large natural increase is evident, giving promise that the district will be better stocked with game birds during the next season than for some years. past.

Adjoining the game farm, work has recently been proceeding with the erection of the new trout hatchery, and this is now practically completed. A satisfactory water supply from a spring higher up the mountain has been connected with the hatchery.