A STRANGE EXPORT

Waipa Post, Volume 51, Issue 3694, 6 December 1935, Page 7

A STRANGE EXPORT

EYE-TEETH OF DEER IN DEMAND. ’ The strangest export from New Zealand, probably may be the consignment of teeth to Germany for a purpose that is not known to the consignee, the Department of Internal Affairs. The teeth are the eye-teeth of deer slaughtered as vermin in various areas of the mountain and . lake country of New 1 Zealand for the eyeteeth of New Zealand deer, and a consignment of several hundred teeth wag forwarded to a. German firm. The price paid was Is 6d per pair. The second parcel has just been dispatched—2oo pairs of eye-teeth saved from adult deer during the past season. New Zealanders have no knowledge of the use that is made of these eyeteeth. The eye-teeth of deer are of all shapes and sizes. The keen demand is for teeth that are yellow and generally discoloured, and that is the chief test of marketability, probably because it guarantees that the teeth are from an adult deer. The regular conical shape is not so much a matter of moment. It is believed that these teeth may be used for the making of some kind of ceremonial garments or insignia, but the chief point is that eye-teeth of well-matured deer are marketed at Is 6d per pair.

Another rather strange demand in connection with deer is for bladders. One party has offered the department a fixed price for all bladders secured. These two small items have assisted to make, deer more of a commercial proposition, considering that ' very good prices are being paid for deer skins marketed by the Department of Internal Affairs by private treaty. The demand for skins, indeed, is greater than has been supplied. It is believed that appreciation of these facts will lead to more deeiykilling than ever.