AN OPEN SEASON FOR GAME.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10417, 1 April 1910, Page 6

AN OPEN SEASON FOR GAME.

(Peii Piiess Association.) Christchurcli, March 31. Tho Won. 1"). Buddo .state's that in view oi numerous petitions forwarded by Acclimatisation Socio Liea "asking for tiio suspension, of section, ' 26 of tho Animals Protection Act, 'which makes J 910 a close season for ; game, tho Government bad decided 'to recommeityl , tho Governor to suspend tho operation of the section ns 'regards' * black swan,. grey duck, and imported game for a period of one month from tho I.4th May next. This will apply only to thoso' districts that havo specially applied for an open season, and only to thoso varieties ol game 'for which exemption from th«. provisions of the Act has been asked. The Minister states that it has been reluctantly decided to recommend this course. Tho evidence before him was very -conflicting. Many sportsmen in country districts and farmers recommend that the provision for a close season bo adhered to, while a number of Acclimatisation Societies, Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, and a few sportsmen in rural districts strongly recommend an open season for at least some classes- ol game. The Minister understands that considerable benefit has been experienced in some States in America, by periodical close seasons, and considers thirt the. provision ma'de by Parliament is generally right, hut there is no doubt that quail are very plrntifnl in some bush districts, and .ire becoming a serious menace to farmers' gvass seed on newlysown bush land, and ho has evidence before him that goes to show that they are responsible to some extent for tho spread ol' blackberry. No other variety of game seems to bo over-abundant, but the conditions; generally appear to be such that, it has been decided to recommend an open season lor one month as stated.