THE MUTTONBIRD INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 61

THE MUTTONBIRD INDUSTRY.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir, — 1 saw in your paper some time ago about Maurice Topi, Joe Bragg, and Carl Hatieeu being lined £3. Web, to tell you the truth, Maurice Topi is a descendant of that To Wera who had a pa at Waikouaiti, and had an indisputed right to Betsy Island, that was won by the sword of Te Wera; and therefore had a right to take In’s Captain with nirn as cook. Now, looking at the matter in a proper manner, you will see that Maurice J.opi and doe were quite right in taking Carl Hansen. The three of mem are mates in a fishing boat, and Carl Hansen us the captain. Now to hold their places in the craft they took Carl Hansen with them. You see the point? Maurice Topi and Joo were not minding the miittonbirding; they were studying the big job in the craft. And any man with principle and virtue would say that the boys acted wisely and manly. As for the statement that it was impossible for them to catch 6900 birds, why, one man from .Riverton catches 3000 to 4000 single-handed, and a girl can get over 2000. A man cooking and doing odd jobs means a lot of help. I reckon myself they should have caught 4000 each. The cooking helps a lot. 1 am an old birder, and have done by own cooking. It’s nothing for two good young men to get that quantity, and 1 know they are both lasi and good. Maurice Topi, I know for a certainty, is fast and clean. 1 could back them against this Riverton gun. They say lie got over 3000 this season and 4000’ lust year. Now the other two Europeans went to catch birds for George Howell and themselves, too. Quite right, too! Poor old George Howell is getting old. Let him lease the island. You see the country wants the birds, as well as G. Howell. 1 would rather see Europeans than your northerners. When they take you northerners on the island to catch birds you actually turn round and claim a right to the island. You and your northerners have been doing it, and trying to claim rights just because they have been on the islands. Mr Clark’s letter of the sale of Stewart Island states that Topi chased all the northerners away. Jack Bragg is Joo Bragg’s father. Ho had no right on Tia. Ho was only put there to get birds for liims'lf and family, 6o you see ho could not take anybody on. But lie lias done so. Now, with Maurice Topi, he had hereditary right from To Wera, and sc I think he was entitled to take Carl Hansen. Some few people down hero have too much to say. They should look after what was given to them, and bo satisfied; in fact, they axe a .tiuisanoo. There’s some

now courting North Islanders, which is pro* hibited altogether; and if they won’t atop it—well, I shall introduce Europeans. In fact, Europeans may find cut a quicker process in the working of the birds. I was thinking of a steam digester. The old system is too old; we want something modern. The half-castes of the Bluff made a mistake in signing a petition for the Tasmanian nuittonbirds. All that they saw was the big price for birds next season. They did not see that the islands will have to be filled with men to keep the supply up. More people means less money for them. But I think we would get better birds, say, 1000 a man—that is, to pounce a million birds in the season. So the poor Europeans .and Maoris would get the same chance a a the millionaire. Anyhow, 1 am for cheap living. Hoping you are quit© well. Editor.— l am, etc., si ol ** Topi. Ruapuke. August 8. [Wo have found it necessary to excise ft few sen ton ces concerning individuals from opr correspondent’s letter. — Ed. O. W.]