ASSISTANCE PROMISED BY GOVERNMENT IN MEETING PIG MENACE

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 October 1950, Page 8

ASSISTANCE PROMISED BY GOVERNMENT IN MEETING PIG MENACE

The co-operation of the Department of Internal Affairs in the eradication of wild pigs in the back country of the Wanganui district has been promised the Patea-Waitotara Rabbit Board. Following complaints regarding the increasing depredations by pigs, the board wrote to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Bodkin) asking for his support. The letter stated: ‘‘ln parts of the counties there are thousands of acres of reverted faim land and State forests which are literally alive with pigs and nothing is being done to eradicate them. In the opinion of the board, only a body like the Wild Life Section of your department can handle the problem effectively. One of the weaknesses in any scheme sponsored by a county council is that they have no power to compel owners of land to co-operate in any scheme. Opposition from one settler in the district could ruin the work done on neighbouring properties.” DEPARTMENT’S INTEREST. “It is evident that the problem in your district has been given careful consideration,” stated a letter from the assistant-secretary for Internal Affairs received at this week’s meeting of the Patea-Waitotara board. ‘‘As you are aware the department provides assistance in various ways tor the destruction of pigs. However, although wild pigs are not fully the responsibiltiy of my department, assistance is given to farmers by the department's pig policy. “Operations may be undertaken on large-scale areas of State or public body owned or controlled Inds harbouring large pig populations that menace or re-infest neighbouring farm land,” stated the letter. “In the case of a large area of abandoned priv-ately-owned lands having the same effect as the above, similar action maybe taken, provided the trouble is on a large scale and cannot be dealt with by the farmers’ organised efforts using the mans already available through the Department of Agriculture. It is required that requests for aid should come in such cases from farmers’ organisations.” The letter said the department was anxious to help get rid of wild pigs and as there were Crown lands within the area referred to, it appeared that action was called for. “I have directed that an investigation be made and when the report is received I will advise what assistance can be given,” stated the letter. The chairman (Mr. T. E. Wilson) said that he had alrady had a visit from an oiiicer from the department. Mr. F. K. Pearce said that the board and the secretary had apparently done everything possible to have the problem of wild pigs fully investigated. It would appear now that it was up to the settlers concerned to take further steps in the matter.