SNARES AND POISON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25566, 20 June 1944, Page 6

SNARES AND POISON

COMBATING DEER MENACE Because of the shortage of suitable men for deer-killing an alternative method, the use of snares, has been tried by the Department of Internal Affairs.’ Even this method, however, has been restricted by war conditions, as no further supplies of the special wire required are obtainable. Poisoning, which has proved futile so far, is being experimented with by another method. This information is given by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) in a letter to the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews) in reply to resorptions passed by the South Island Local Bodies’ Executive urging more drastic steps for the destruction of deer. The Minister states that both he and his department are fully seized with the need for doing everything to deal with the menace. The department has been carrying on with its party operations to the extent permitted by present conditions, but in most localities it is not practicable to carry on this work during the winter, states Mr Parry, who adds that some men will be employed on track work to provide better access to the country to be worked next season. Work on tracks, huts, bridges, and miners’ chairs has been found to be a most useful contribution. “Your executive may rest assured that as soon as conditions permit the campaign will be pursued with the utmost possible vigour,” states the Minister.