ROYAL DEER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3398, 30 April 1919, Page 38

ROYAL DEER.

FIRST TO LAND IN NEW ZEALAND. The following particulars are supplied by Mr J. F. Robieson, of the local Tourist Bureau, and will be of considerable interest to many sportsmen : Tho first deer to set foot in New Zealand were presented to the New Zealand Government by the late King Edward. The deer (six in number) were captured in Windsor Park, and housed there for some time as a preparation for .their long sea voyage. One stag and two hind 3 were shipped by the Triton, for Wellington, and after a passage of 127 days, during whioh one hind succumbed, arrived on June 6, 1862. About the same time the remaining three were shipped for Canterbury, but as one only arrived, it was forwarded to Wellington to join the other two. 'For some months these animals were kept in a stable close to "Noah's Axk," Lambton quay, and subsequently Mr C R. Carter (then M.P. for Wairarapa) arranged to have them conveyed to Wairarapa. Owing to there being no trains in those days, the animals were placed in the crate in whioh they came from England, and were carted sjver the Rimutaka Ranges to the Taratahi Plains, where they were hashed to Mr J. Robieson. This gentleman, being an Englishman, took a special interest in the animals, and kept them for some considerable time. Early in the year 1863 he liberated

tho deer on the Taratahi Plains, and for some time they were constant visitors to tho far jors, accepting all kinds of food. Later, however, they crossed the Ruamahanga River, and took up their abode on the Maungaraki Ranges. From these ranges some of .tho finest heads in New Zealand havo been secured. There is no doubt whatever that the exceptionally rich limestone formation and the English grasses were responsible for the large growth of horn.