WILD LIFE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20964, 1 March 1930, Page 19

WILD LIFE.

PROTECTION AND CONTROL. MEETING IN THE MUSEUM. Representatives of the Otago Institute, the Archaeological Society, the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Historical Association, the Otago Early Settlers’ Association,’ the Naturalists’ Field Club, the Otago Tramp- j ing Club, the Otago Women’s Club, the i Otago Expansion League, the Classical Association, the University of Otago, the Acclimatisation Society, the Dunedin Horticultural Society, and the Forestry League met in the lecture room at the Museum last evening under the chairmanship of Mr Angel to discuss means of further preventing the destruction of native birds, penguins in particular, native trees and forests, and tlie protection of sites of historical, scientific, or archaeological interest. The business before the meeting covered most aspects of wild life in this country, and had reference to the protection of certain species and the extermination of others. Some difference of opinion arose in respect to certain suggestions, but, generally speaking, there was a unanimous body of opinion in favour of the various matters brought forward. It is the intention of the organisers of the meeting to take note of the resolutions that were carried ?nd to leave them in the hands of the Otago Institute to be placed before the necessary authorities. Before the meeting began the chairman made reference to the deaths of two great friends to New Zealand wild life. Sir George Fenwick and Sir Thomas Mackenzie, and the meeting accorded them the customary tribute of respect. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES. Mr H. D. Skinner spoke on the necessity for the protection of sites of archaeological and ethnological interest against unauthorised digging. Too often curio hunters spoil sites, making them useless for the conscientious archaeological student. A ease in point was Murderer’s Bay {Whareakeake), a site of rare value scientifically which had not yielded all the material it might have done. The curio collector had been busy there, and the greatest collection secured was now in the Field Museum at Chicago, where it would attract only indifferent interest in contrast to the use it would have been in New Zealand had it been assembled' after careful digging. The speaker illustrated wih lantern slides the activities of excavating parties and archceologists in the neighbourhood of Papnnui and Murderers’ Bay, and concluded by stressing the need for protection of such sites against uninformed digging. KILLING OF PENGUINS. _Mr R, H. Steele introduced the question of the shooting of penguins at the Little Papanui rookeries. At least 25 birds had been found dead, and the Maoris asserted that many more could be found in other places. The first offences “lately had been committted on Labour Day, and some publicity had been given to the matter, but in spite of that the shooting had continued. He could see no reason why such harmless, friendlybirds should be killed in this manner. They did no harm, took their, feed from the sea, and asked little more of man than a nesting place. The speaker illustrated his remarks in regard to the penguins at Little Papanui with lantern slides, and in conclusion submitted the following motion:—“That it be a recommendation to the Minister of Internal Affairs from the societies here represented that the whole of the coast line between the southern end of Little Papanui Beach and Wickcliffe Bay Inlet, arid as much of the land behind as may be deemed advisable, should be proclaimed a sanctuary for native bird life, the whole of the said land being part of Papanui ' Native Reserve, No. D.” Mr. T. O’Shea seconded the motion. Dr i Benham, representing the University of Otago, said he felt the motion did not go far enough. A sanctuary was all very well; they must go further and devise some means of keeping people with guns away from such areas. They must educate the young to appreciate and respect native birds. Steps should be taken to inform people what birds were protected. They had to catch the offenders, and he felt this was a more difficult matter than the mere proclamation of an area as a sanctuary. Mr Wilson said a sanctuary did give protection. The Acclimatisation Society's ranger and hon. rangers kept an eye on them. The Rev. W. Saunders, representing the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, assured the meeting that it bad the whole-hearted support of the body on whose behalf he was speaking. Mr C. A. Wilson, president of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, stated that the society had already taken steps to do what the motion suggested, but he would point out that the consent of the landholders had first to be obtained. Mr R. Kennedy, of the Otago Tramping Club, asked the mover if hq would consent to the alteration of his motion to provide for extending the confines of the sanctuary to cover all the coastline from Beattie’s Beach to Pipikariti Beach, with a view to putting a stop to the robbing of sea birds’ nests at Cape Saunders. The mover agreed to this, and the motion was carried unanimously. WILD DUCKS. Mr G. C. Thomson moved the following resolution in respect to the protection of ducks:—“That this representative meeting of the Otago Institute, Archaeological Society. New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Society, Historical Association, Otago Early Settlers’ Association, Naturalists’ Field Club, Otago Tramping Club, Horticultural Society, Otago Women’s Club, Classical Otago Expansion League, and heads of educational institutions, and citizens, urge that our beautiful, unique spoonbill ducks, paradise ducks, and pukekos, be placed upon the list of absolutely protected birds, to prevent further slaughter; and, further, that all sister societies and those of a like nature throughout New Zealand be notified to assist in the movement. A copy of the resolution to be forwarded to the Minister of Internal affairs and every member of Parliament.”

The motion was seconded by Dr Riley, after which Mr Thomson and Mr Wilson, of the Acclimatisation Society, engaged in a discussion of the damage done to crops by the ducks mentioned in the motion.

The motion was carried. Mr Wilson alone dissenting.

While this matter was under discussion, Mr Thomson said that the beautiful native birds of this country were suffering from the ravages of disease, ferrets, rats, motor cars, and shotguns, and he thought it was time the Acclimatisation Society did something to help those who were interested in their preservation. THE DEER MENACE.

Mi' G. -M. Thomson. M.L.C., introduced the problem of deer control. It was very desirable, he said, that the menace should be reduced. Extermination had been mentioned, but he was not prepared to go as far as that. Drastic control was the great necessity. But the big thing they were up against was the lack of unified control in the matter of the authorities dealing with the deer menace The solution of the difficulty lay in thebringing of all such matters under one Government authority. Acclimatisation societies were doing their best, but their efforts were being handicapped by the existence of so many different authorities. which would not work together. He therefore had great pleasure in moving the following motion;—“That this mooting views with concern the fact that the deer pest has become a menace to the

well-being of our forests and much of our farm lands. As this is a matter of national importance, we consider it should be handled nationally. This being impossible under the present system of administration, we urge the Government to place the whole of our wild life under the control of one State Department. The immediate necessity is that active measures should be taken for the reduction.”

Mr Black seconded the motion, and asserted that the people of this country would be astounded and alarmed if they knew how much the deer pest was costing New Zealand.

Mr W. B. Steel (secretary of the Otago Expansion League) mentioned the poisoning of the deer by means of arsenic in salt licks. This method of reducing the pest had been suggested to the Government, but had been turned down. He thought it was an idea worthy of serious consideration. Mr Wilson, in spite of cries of dissent, suggested that some people were becoming unduly alarmed at the deer menace. With a good market for skins they could expect thu deer to go the way of the rabbit, winch almost disappeared when the skins were saleable. Mr Kennedy suggested to Mr Wilson that some impression could be made on the nuisance if stalking were encouraged by the acclimatisation societies, and if blocks were not set aside for specially favoured parties of stalkers. Mr G- C. Thomson said the deer, the chamois, and the thar were the worst pests the country had to-day. They were a constant drain on the country’s resources. On being put to the meeting the motion was carried/ Mr Wilson’s voice again being the only one raised in opposition. A CENTRAL ORGANISATION. The chairman said that the lack of definite central control by one authority of such matters, which Mr G. M. Thomson had remarked, was a question which such a meeting as that held that evening should consider. Personally he thought that a special board should be appointed to undertake the work of preserving flora and fauna and interesting sights. He, therefore, would move as follows:—“ That it be a recommendation to the Government that local boards be set up, consisting of a member or members elected by the New Zealand Institute, the local branca of the Bird Protection Society, tfte Historical Association, or other interested societies; and a Government representative; such boards to advise the Government regarding preservation and protection of sites of historical and scien--1 •? ’ nterests the proclamation of mutable sanctuaries for native birds under S ct an d its amendments.” Ihe motion was carried unanimously. ihe chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to Dr Benham for the use of the room for the meeting.