The Shooting Season.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4322, 10 February 1910, Page 2

The Shooting Season.

By telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, hast Night. The Auckland Acclimatisation Society recently applied to the Hon. D. Buddo, Minister for Internal Affairs, for permission to make the present season an open one for the shooting of game in the Auckland district. The desire to have this season an open one is held by the most of the acclimatisation societies in the North Island on account of the plentifulness of game. At a meeting of. the society the following telegram from the Minister was received:—“ Referring to representations made by your secretary, I have to inform you that as present advised I am not prepared to recommend His Excellency to declare any district exempt from the provisions of section 26 of the Animals’ Protection Act, 1908, which fixes a close season for native and imported game for 1910, and every third year thereafter.—D. Buddo.” To this communication the secretary was instructed to reply that if the season were declared a close season it would mean that the income of the society for three years would be reduced by £520, and that such a reduction would render the society unable to pay the salaries of its rangers. The Act of 1908 fore, be ineffectual, since there would be no means of enforcing its provisions, and poaching and shooting out of season would be common.