FOR CAMPERS OR GAME?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23858, 12 July 1939, Page 14

FOR CAMPERS OR GAME?

BUSH AT LAKE OHAU A MOTORIST’S COMPLAINTS ACTIONS OF ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY That campers in the bush on the southern shores of Lake Ohau last Easter were persecuted by the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society in its efforts to keep the area a bird sanctuary was the basis of a complaint made by Mr Roland Ellis in a letter to the Automobile Association (Otago), which was dealt with at the meeting last night. It seemed a pity, Mr Ellis stated, that any society should be privileged to prevent the beauties of such a large part of the country from being “ enjoyed by respectable citizens.”

Persecution Alleged

“Last Easter on the southern shores of Lake Ohau There were about 10 to 15 camps. The ranger, on instructions from the North Otago Acclimatisation Society, paid these camps a . visit during this period, with the result that nearly all were found to have a gun or a dog and are to be prosecuted. Perhaps ‘ persecuted ’ would be more correct. Evidently this society has had all the bush camping sites included in a bird sanctuary, and anyone with a dog wishing to visit this area must either camp in an exposed, barren place or take the consequences. This surely is hot 'right, “ Lake Ohau is one of the prettiest and driest lake' camping spots in Otago,” Mr Ellis said, “and I suggest it is a matter in which the association could well interest itself as it affects motorists almost entirely. If a, sanctuary is necessary, surely the/bbundaty could be moved far enough up towards .the head' of the lake to allow campers the use of at least the first" few pieces of bush which fringe the south side after the road todches. the lake. - For all the ducks (unci, game there are to be seen at the Tower end of,the lake, this would" not interfere Very,much with, the' acclimatisation, society's work, 1 : I’ am, sure; -Anyway the present l uptime • is,..placed in such a position that’, it .cannot be read at night:,% parties ■ 'going in, and, thelake being so " handy.' to Dunedin, Oamafii; and. Tirharu, it is remarkable; the : .’numb,er .'of people who travel; -thef-e during the night at shprt-holiday periods. Also on ac-, count of the. notice being alongsidea cattle"stop; a driver’s, attention is usually concentrated ■cn his . work and, ; the notice is ignored in consequence. 1 Anyway, 'el, notice is dangerous at such a position. Fair Play or Fair Game? “ Many, people have taken the notice to refer to the small lake in the immediate vicinity and not to Lake Ohau itself, the surrounding district, and the valleys beyond. In any case the society must know that deer cullers carry guns in the sanctuary, but presumably it winks the other eye. The society’s revenue must be small when a ranger has to travel 240 miles to single out again the poor motorist as fair game —and what society should be able to give better advice about fair game and fair play than- an acclimatisation society—to help pay the expenses of other people’s hobbies. . , ; “ There was a lot. of indignation expressed by the campers at Easter on the matter,” Mr Ellis, concluded, “ and it seems a pity that any society shoufd be privileged to prevent the beautiek of such a large part of our cotmtry from being enjoyed by respectable citizens. I commend this to your, committee to use -the association’s influence to alleviate what appear to be irksome restrictions.” “We can’t do anything about this to-night,” said the chairman (Mr P. W. Breen). It was decided to obtain reports on the question from the Automobile Association (North Otago) and the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society.