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New Zealand Mail, Issue 1747, 30 August 1905, Page 2

Racoons occupied the attention of tlie House of [Lqn--o.Nont.-itives last week for a. short while. Air Herries asked the Minister in charge of the Tourist De- ■ v• 111 eut. who is responsible for the introduction of American racoons at Rotorua ; whether the Minister is aware of the destructive nature of these animals ; and if he will lake steps io have them destroyed? Sir Joseph AVard said the racoons wore sent from America, with other animals imported by the Government. They were intended to be confined in the Rotorua grounds for exl ibitio-n purposes only, and were placed in a wire-netting enclosure there, but unfortunately two escaped. Tie was aware of the destructive nature of those animals, and every possible stop bad been taken to have them recaptured or destroyed. A number of iiv.s had been employed scouring the country, and a reward of 810 had boon offered for the production of the animals dead or alive. It was hoped the animals would be captured at an early date. AYhv on earth are these sort efi tilings brought into- tlie colony?” asked, she member for the Bay of Momv. who alleged that shortly after thiur escape the racoons killed thirty or ierty lowls belonging to a Rotorua resident. liio Minister replied that inquiries made on the spot showed that til-' fowls Lad not been killed by the racoons, but by stoats or weasels. "They are gone coons ?’. sighed an bon member.