TROUBLESOME DEER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 46, 9 October 1911, Page 5

TROUBLESOME DEER.

MANAWATU FARMERS MAKE COMPLAINT. (Per Press Association.) Palmerston North, October 8. Settlers in the C!Jon Oroua dispute have been troubled lately by the depredations of herds of deer. A farmer stated yesterday that it is no uncommon thing to rise in the morning and find that in the very early hours his young oats have been ri sited by a foraging party of deer >..nd the luscious blades nibbled back or trampled down, while the vegetable gardens and .orchards are also made bo suffer. No ordinary fence is high enough to keep out the animals, who take them all with the greatest ease. Recently a well-known farmer surprised a fine stag, and his mate on the road. The pair galloped along in front of the trap for some distance, and finally cleared the roadside fence with a flying leap which showed how difficult it would be to keep them out of any paddock in which they desire to browse.

It is said that the animals, which are evidently quite numerous, judging by the damage they do in a single night, made their homes in various patches of bush in the district. They are said to have been introduced into the locality in tho early days by a large landholder. The settlers who have suffered most by these ani’i.-ats have made representations to the Government on the matter, and have received promises that something will bo done.