NEW ZEALAND FAUNA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8481, 16 July 1913, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND FAUNA

THREATENED EXTINCTION. The threatened extinction of the New Zealand fauna was the subject of a deputation from the \V ©llington Zoological Society to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. H. D. Boll) yesterday morning. . The president of the society (the Rev. J. Crewes) said that the society was deeply interested in the preservation of the fauna of New Zealand. The tuatara was a most interesting and important reptile, and it was recently estimated that there were only one thousand of them left. They were now found only on one or two islands —none existed on the mainland, ino society was also anxious to see such birds as the great spotted kiwi preserved from the ravages of tho stoat and weasel. . . • The Minister said that it was no doubt necessary for the matter to bo impressed upon the minds of the puopie. Regarding the tuatara, tho Government had increased tho penaltv tor the destruction of the reptiles, and was in receipt of reports from the various lighthouse-keepers and ~ s*™ the islands where there were no lights they were receiving reports from Major Mair. They were at present considering tho advisability ot having a number of tuataras brought to Wellington and kept under proper conditions to see if they would increase. The Government was fully aware of the necessity of preserving as far as possible such birds as the hum, kakapo, and paradise duck. As to native pigeons, the Government was determined to preserve them, but it was a difficult matter to persuade the Maoris not to shoot them, as thus was, as it were, a native habit. If iiiey asked the Government to protect the wingless birds they were asking them to destroy tho stoat and tho weasel. The matter, however, was receiving the earnest attention of the Government. They had recently had an agitation to permit snakes and dmgos being imported, but ho had refused permtesion. “I am not going to run any risks,” laughed tho Minister. 1 have turned tne dmgos down, and I am gomg to stick to it.” Mr Bell added that the wishes of the society had, and would still have, the oons.deratwu „f the Government.