A FLYING FOX.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19902, 23 September 1926, Page 14

A FLYING FOX.

IDENTITY ESTABLISHED. PRESENCE A MYSTERY. (Pee United Pbess Association.) HAMILTON, September 22. As an outcome of a statement by Mr Dasent, secretary of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, questioning that a flying fox was responsible for the breaking of the power line at Matangi, a reporter paid a visit to Mr J. Holmes, taxidermist, of Hamilton, who has had the animal stuffed. There is no doubt that it is a flying fox. The furred body is about 9in long, and the head, which has an unmistakable resemblance to a fox,_ is furnished with canine teeth. The wings are thin, like those of a bat, and have_ a span of about 3ft. There is slight singeing of the fur, where the animal came in contact with the wire, Mr Holmes thought it likely the animal came to New Zealand with some fruit from Australia With regard to a statement that the wire could not_ have been broken by the flying fox, he said that the contact had caused a short circuit, which had resulted in the wire snapping. A SCIENTIFIC OPINION. FIRST IN DOMINION. POSSIBILITIES OF INTRODUCTION. (Fbom Odb Own Cobeespondent.) ' AUCKLAND, September 22. In commenting on the discovery of a flying fox in the Waikato district, Mr G. Arehey, curator of the Auckland Museum, said he concurred with Mr C. I. Dasent, secretary of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, in saying it was the first time he had ever heard of a flying fox in New Zealand, but that did not preclude the possibility of the species being present. “I'he flying fox is a type of bat,” said Mr Arehey, “but it is much bigger than either of the two varieties of native bat. Those must have got to New Zealand over the water as New Zealand has been isolated from the land to the north since the mammals were evolved. The flying fox must also have come over the water, but in what way it is impossible to state. The species is well known is Fiji, and also in parts of Queensland. One might get in the rigging of a ship, and be transported here in that manner, hut it is exceedimrly unlikely. The explanation might, of course, bo much simpler; it may possibly have been brought here—some people have a queer idea of pets—and then have been liberated.