DEATH TO HAWKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23591, 30 August 1938, Page 16

DEATH TO HAWKS

SAME FATE TO EELS SOUTHLAND PROMOTES CAMPAIGN ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY INTERESTED It is a fairly well-known fact that hawks, eels and shags are not popular with acclimatisation societies and at the monthly meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society last night various methods for the killing of these pests were suggested by a number of speakers. The subject was introduced by Mr O. J. Howells, of Gore, who with Mr J. H. Thomas, of Invercargill, waited on the society to learn what steps it was taking to combat the havoc being wrought by the birds and the eels. “ We have launched a competition in Southland,” Mr Howells said, “and for the largest number of hawks brought in to the society between now and March a first prize of £ls will be awarded.” There would also be a second prize of £7 and a third of £3. The competition would be open to anyone. In addition to that the society had sent its rangers out eeling and to trap and shoot hawks. Extra men were being employed for this work besides the rangers. “Hawks and eels between them destroy more ducks than do sportsmen," he said. “ I have seen hawks chasing the ducks on frequent occasions and it is a well-known fact that a shooter would sooner kill a hawk than he would a duck.” Referring to the eel menace in Southland rivers, Mr Howells said that eel pots were being supplied to those who set about catching them in quantities. The eels did enormous damage during a year and it was the intention of the Southland Society to concentrate on cleaning out the lagoons in its district this season. Over n period of six weeks an area of river to the extent of some 16 miles had been cleaned of between 7000 and 8000 eels, he said. Mr H G. Williams said that the suggestion of Mr Howells had been tried previously in Otago, but had been abandoned.

Mr G. E. Turner said that the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was spending over £ 1000 per year as a reward for people bringing in hawk’s feet. Referring to eels, he said that they did much more damage than people gave them credit for. The much discussed shag next came in for attention, the opinion being expressed that it did more harm to trout than eels did. Mr S. H. Barnes said that as Southland had only native game it would be wise to stick to its 10s licence for sportsmen as, unless the hawks were greatly reduced in numbers, he defied anyone to say that the sportsmen in the south could be well catered for. After the chairman had stated that the Otago Society was fully alive to the present situation and the damage done by hawks, eels and shags, it was decided to ask the Southland Society to forward its scheme on paper so that an exchange of ideas could later be discussed.