THE CAME SEASON.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12757, 1 April 1910, Page 2

THE CAME SEASON.

TO BE OPEN ONE MONTH. [Unitko Pkess Absociation.j Christchurch, March 31. The Hon D. Buddo states in view of numerous petitions forwarded by A<> climatisatioji Societies asking for the suspension of section 26 of tho Animals Protection Act, which make 1910 a close season for game, the Government has decided to recommend the Governor to suspend operation of the section, as regards black swans, grey ducks and imported game for a period of one month from 14th May next. This will apply only to those districts that have specially applied for a.n-open season, and only to those varieties of game for which exemption from the provisions of the Act has been asked. The Minister states it has been reluctantly decided to recommend this course. The evidence before him is very conflicting. Many sportsmen in the country districts and farmers recommend that the provision for a close sp.ison be adhered to, while a number of Acclimatisation Societies, Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, ami a few sportsmen in rural districts strongly recommend an oneir season for at least some classes of game. The Minister understands that considerable benefit has been experienced in some States in America by a periodical close season, and considers that the provisions mado by Parliament is generally right/ but there is.no doubt that quail are very plentiful in some districts, and are becoming a serious menace to the farmers' grass seed or newly sown bush land, and ho has evidence before him that goes to sho.w that they are responsible to some extent for the spread of blackberries. No other variety^ of game seems to be over abundant, but the conditions generally appear 'to be such that it has been decided to recommencl an open season for one month as stated.