THE DEER QUESTION.

Southland Times, Issue 22052, 27 June 1933, Page 9

THE DEER QUESTION.

To the Editor.

Sir, —“Nat” butted into this deer question under a nom de plume after it had been well started in your correspondence column. I answered his five questions which he does not seem able to controvert. He does not seem to appreciate the value of my deer description, but gives me the honour of being entitled to a special corner on Cousin Betty’s page, a slur on the children that I cannot let pass. I hope “Nat” you will appreciate the value of the page when you read the following written by one of the little “Cousins”:—

—Values. — “Would we feel the thrill of springtime if the winter stayed away? Or if work was all forbidden, would we so enjoy our play? Would we see the flowers’ sweet beauty if their petals did not fade. Would the crocus be so precious if it always with us stayed?”

Now “Nat” be a sport and return the courtesy you received from me, and answer the following five questions:

(1) Is the pokaka any good for sawmilling purposes, except say for bush tram rails?

Note: This is a large tree which J. B. Thomson mentioned that moose were ring barking in the vicinity of Dusky Sound. (2) Is it not true that botanists including some that are members of your N.B.P.S. tour the mountains of the mainland and Stewart Island, and dig up roots and

all to export and sell our alpine plants, including those large mountain buttercups, such as “Ranunculus Buchanani,” and “R. Lyaltii,” justly famed wherever science is known? Also those unique associations of plants which surround our mountain tarns, including sub-tropical rare shrubs that are to be found in Stewart Island, and which scientists from all over the world have come to specially see. (3) Has not the “Nothopanax’’ or gummy or five finger plenty of antiseptic and protective sap such as is possessed by European trees? (4) The dense forest hanging with vines, and festooned with moss with low light intensity, reeking with dampness, no tracks through it, is it suitable timber, or bird, or animal country, or pleasant for a person to get bushed in? (5) That naturalists and members of the N.8.P.5., keep in captivity hundreds of native and imported birds, which they sell and exchange for profit all over the world including twelve “Silver Eyes” to be sent to America to fill an order. The Little Captives (edited by Leo Fanning). Bright cages housed the pretty things; They perched on bars, with sadly quiet wings. Such lovely tints of yellow, green and blue Were mingled there in every shade and hue! Now “Nat,” your editor, Leo Fanning, of the N.8.P.5., says this is a hearttouching verse on this subject. Can you say it is entitled to a special corner in Cousin Betty’s page?—l am, etc, H. H. TWEMLOW. West Plains Road, Waikiwi. June 26, 1933.