DESTRUCTIVE BIRDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17009, 6 April 1923, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE BIRDS.

PAHADIHK DUCKS AND PUKEKO. (Per Prkss Association.) DUNEDIN, April 3. \ deputation from South Otago waited on the Otago Acclimatißatipn Society tonight, to protest against the (Government protection of Paradise Ducks and also Pukekos. Mr Cupel I spokesman, referred to toe serious damage that was being wrought l by Paradise Ducks. He pointed out the ! absurdity of protecting them when the 1 district wa« simply teeming with the pests. | for they were seriouv pests to the larmera. He had approached the Southland Society with a view to inducing it to take I steps in the matter, but it had evidently j misunderstood him or was unsympathetic. ' In suite of heavy shooting the birds were | steadily increasing, and unless soinethjng /locks and an open shooting season would break them up and scatter them into other parts of the district, where they could do little or no barm. Every effort should he made to induce tlie Government to lift the protection, and the soeietl should ho supported in this protect by ’ * Pukekos," too. continued Mr Cape!!, were on the increase, especially around Lake Waihola. where they could be found m thousands. A settler there had told him that he had seen more pukekos there this season than he -had seen lor the last j where these birds were running round ( a house, while another complained that, they got among his onions and demolished 1 Jt"waß decided that the ask the son for a fortnight, and to limit the bag to twelve birds a day. Mr Covie. member of Acclimatisation Society, stated that unless something was done they would he poisoned out in Central. Otago. The Paradise Duck was reiOly inclined to’ go inland and seek t-lie back country where it flourished in great numbers. Thus the birds were very plentiful in Central Otago. Mr It. Conn, tlie chairman, suggested that, a list should be procured of the districts in which the ducks were most num-