NEW ZEALAND FAUNA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3097, 23 July 1913, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND FAUNA.

NECESSITY FOR PRESERVATION. WELLINGTON. July 15. The threaten d extinction ot New Zealand fauna was tiie subject of a deputation from the Wellington Zoologic it Society to the Minister of Internal Affairs (the lion. 11. D Hell) to-day. bite Rev J. Crowes said the society was deeply interested in the preservation of Ihe fauna of New Zealand. The tuatara was a most interesting and important reptile, and it was recently estimated that there were t nly 1000 of them left They wore now bund only on one or two islands; none existed o.i tie mainland. The society was also anxious to see such birds as the great spotted ki vl preserved from the ravages of the stoat and weasel. The Minister said that it was no doubt neci ssarv for the matter to be impressed upon the minds of the people. Regarding the tuatara, the Government had increased the penalty for the destruction of the reptiles. and was in receipt of reports from various lighthouse keepers. They were considering the advisability of having a number of tuataras brought to Wellington and kept under proper conditions to see if they would increase. The Government was fully aware of the necessity of preserving as far as possible such birds as tlie huia, kakapo, and paradise ducks. As to native pigeons, the Government was determined to preserve them, but it was a difficult matter to persuade the Maoris not to shoot them. The matter was receiving the earnest attention of the Government.