THE DEER HERDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14715, 24 December 1909, Page 9

THE DEER HERDS.

Sin,—An anonymous critic has taken some exception to statements mado by Mr IT. Connolly, from whom I received much of tho information used in a recently published article entitled " Culling and Deerstalking.", Assuming that your correspondent is ashamed neither of tho sentiment's expressed nor of the name he bears, I may bo pardoned for suggesting to him that, his arguments would possibly carry greater weight and be worthy of more consideration if advanced over his own signature. Among recent events in connection with tho welfare of our deer forests, tho letting of a. contract for 'the extermination of weedy deer in the Tinmrii basin and the action of Mr Hardcastle, in requesting the Government to assume control, are of the first importance. Local men were invited to tender for tho shooting contract for the hides alone, and, presuming that those who have undertaken tho work have accepted this mode of payment, the Otago Acclimatisation Society is to be congratulated on having made an excellent bargain us far as tho cost of extermination is concerned. Deer hides may he valued, roughly, at 3s ouch, and in order that yearlings inay not bo allowed to escripa—on account, of'their comparative worlhlessness from a contractors' point- of view—the society would be well advised to arrange a senarato prico for those. It ks unfortunate that the work should havo boon authorised at the present time, when many ■of the hinds havo "planted" their young and helpless calves until the latter are strong enough to run with the main herd. "With the mothers disposed .if, their progeny will perish by th? slow and lingering death of starvation. The object in view will have been attained, but greater promptitude in action and a little forethought- would have prevented the- infliction of much unnecessary suffering.

In reviewing the work accomplished by Iho Otago Acclimatisation Society during tho past vear, fairness-demands that mistakes such as tho abo'vo should bo noted equally with the progress made in checking tho spread of degeneration. In jiic]»iii<" the advance mado in this dilution °tlio locality must be considered moro (ban the numbers actually accounted for. It will bo understood that the shoolin." of one weed" on fairly good ground mav oiten bo of more value to tho forest as a whole than tho disocsal of 10 others on overstate) and worthless country. Judged by this standard, splendid work ■has boon done, and the clearing of Mount .'ono-v-a is ,„do ridge extending from the .reer, Biish, in the Hunter Vallcv, to the Dingle Point-will havo the eftert of projecting the best ground for years fo come. Ilio maiiira m which the work was carried out adds to its value, as the contractors shot southwards and awav from tho lv>t(or portions of the forest. Tho sunn/"face below tho Bird, 'free- will nrobablv remure attention later on: but tV spread- of degeneration among the herd has a severe cheek, exactly where most .cord wdl result from the action taken. Mut-h more remains to r* done, but allowin- tint the Acclimatisation Society has given sportsmen just reasm, to complain of its inaction in tin lyifl, that l-«ly deserves to receive fu -1 credit for tiro energetic step it has ■ alien and eonte.rr.lates to meet and overcome a serious and pressing evil. Severe Killing will be necowary along the rou-di "U" Inokcn ridges of the Devil's Block an. in tho upper reaches of tho Tima/u! mid this should be mi in hand as early ■is can possibly lx> arranged. A few carrying light antlers with a narrow spread mi Patriarch, the Highbuni, and one or two others of Ihe clear spurs in the Hunter wuld bo dealt with by the rccontlv-ap-pomted ranger, once they have shod" tho velvet, and befoio they scatter to their winter feeding grounds. Combined with -i vigorous policy of extermination south of the Manuka Spur, the adoption of theso measures idiouUl ;;o i» towards ridding io forest of the menace with which it is ihro-atenod. Careful supervision and a judicious use of the rifl-c will, of cour.se, be necessary for years to come, but there :>hould,be no great difficulty in maintaining the lair name the herd has justly won Without attempting to miiiimis-o ihcvaluo of Mr Hardcasflo's scrvicw towards the sport of (ber-st'ilking, I do not agree with that cgoiiticinan s contention that our forests would be better managed by the Government of tho day than by'our Acclimatisation Societies. I refer particularly to the Otago Society, and tho activo measures adopted by that body prove conclusively that lti member; have fully risen to their responsibilities and arc determined to remedy ] existing evils, Mr Hardcastle's qualified reflection upon the attitude of the Hawea Executive cannot lie allowed io pass unchallenged. These gentlemen acted throughout on- tho delinito instruction of tho society in Dunedin, .and .their ungrudgingly-remlercd services and local knowledge have been of the utmost value. Iho dilterenc-3-s of opinion which led to the resignation of two of their number is a matter entirely between themselves and tire society, but their resignations did not take ellect until tlio contracU wore comp.cted. Jfr Hardeastlo's acquaintance with tho Upper Dinglo is undisputed, but as I his block compiles merely about a tentn part of tho forest area, he will acknowledge that an intimate acquaintance with the- other portions would bo of value in correctly estimating t-ho measures which require to be adoptee. Tho feverod reports of casual \ isitors aro not always -to bo,relied- upon, and no .amount of theoretical knowledge will compensate for ignoranc-o of the varying conditions win obtain in different parts of the forest, 1 am aware that Government intervention is regarded as an almost universal panacea for existing ills of overy kind; but Otago's experience of Minister,:.! control lias not proved as fortunate as that of Canterbury in this direction. The suggested advisory hoard would really command tho situation, and, analysed, the proposal simply moans that a talented Christch-urch gentleman would practically control tho future destinies of our southern foreeta. Canterbury's representatives havo alrealy been appointed, possibly with Mr HardcafitJe's approval, and tho selection of a few lay figures from Otago would enable tho board to commence its ,vork of regeneration without delay. It can hardly be doubted that tho masterful personality; of Mr Hardcastlo will brook no opposition, or that his ideas of the correct course to be taken will bo acceded to without demur by his scakorcd colleagues. That Canterbury's sportsmen contribute towards the society's revenue is no reason why fhoy suould claim to direct its administrative policy. The fact merely proves that these p;e-iitlemon are not devoid of wisdom, and fully appreciate tho sport provided for them. Should their support bo withdrawn, the society may anticipate no lack- of others to tako their placo Us long as tho herd is maintained at a high standard, and tlio trophies obtained will, as hitherto, bear comparison, with the best the world can produce. As tho Otago Acclimatisation Society appears to havo decided upon a strong Bind vigorous policy, I submit that sportsmen, north and south, would 6how a fairer and a nobler spirit by assisting in every possiblo way rather than by wasting tho energies of both parties in disputing over a chango of horses whilst tho stream is bsing crossed. And should the place of Mr Hardoastle at this informal council bo vac-ant his absence will ba regretted by all who tako an interest in our deer forests and in the matchless sport they provide.—l am, otc, W. P. COTTER.