THE HAWK SCOURGE

Southland Times, Issue 17657, 15 February 1916, Page 2

THE HAWK SCOURGE

DOMINION’S GREATEST PEST. CONDONED BY THE GOVERNMENT. The remarkable action of the Minister of Internal Affairs In jilacing a protec- - tion upon hawks at the beginning of the year, without taking acclimatisation societies into his confidence, created some commotion, among sportsmen at the time, says the Auckland Star. The matter was discussed at a recent meeting of the Council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society on the occasion of its first meeting since the Gazette notice was issued leaving hawks free to carry on according to their natural habits. Members spoke with cold resentment of the action taken by the Minister, more particularly of the method in which his decision had been sprung upon the dominion.’ The opinion was expressed that the decision had i>een ill-considered, and was the result of a purely local complaint regarding a rabbit pest, and a desire to have necessary scavenging undertaken by the hawks. Mr H. H. Ostler said that it was an extraordinary thing, when hawks were known to be the worst pest in the dominion to feathered game, and societies had spent hundreds of pounds to secure their destruction, that the Minister should have taken the action lie had without consulting any society in New Zealand. He thought that a very strong protest should lie made. A motion to this effect was seconded by Mr P. D. Hargreaves, who said that there was very strong feeling in the King Country on this question. Tile motion was carried unanimously, and it was further decided that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Mongonui Society, which had asked that the council co-operate in an emphatic protest against the action of the Minister in securing the protection of hawks.