H—22

The Australian spur-winged plover (Lobibyx novae —Hollandise) was added to the list of absolutely protected birds. The mutton-bird (Puffinus griseus) was declared to be protected on the mainland of Stewart Island with the exception of a small area at Lord's River Headland. An area at Kakaramea, the property of Mr. B. Chamberlain, was declared a sanctuary. Several applications affecting property used for farming purposes were not acceded, to, it being considered that farming-operations would conflict with the present sanctuary provisions of the Act. In each case the suggestion was made that the more appropriate procedure would be to except the property concerned from the open season for game-shooting in the acclimatization district affected. In view of complaints received relative to the shooting of protected birds in the colonies found along the coast-line of the Otago Peninsula, an inspection of the area was carried out. Proposals aimed at putting bird-protection on a sound basis in the locality are now being examined. (3) Imported and Native Game Open seasons were observed in all acclimatization districts. Though a larger quantity of ammunition was available as compared with 1945, the sale of licences greatly increased and the demand for ammunition was correspondingly large, (4) Opossums The Opossum Regulations 1946, which came into effect on Ist June, 1946, abolished the necessity for the stamping of skins and payment of royalty thereon. The fee for a trapper's licence was reduced from £2 to 10s. The necessity for the licensing of brokers and dealers in skins was also abolished. Legislation enacted later revoked all of Part 111 of the Act except section 20, but provision was made for the making of such regulations as are considered desirable for the future control of these animals. The preparation of these regulations was nearing completion at the end of the year. C. Wild Animal Pest Control Operations (1) Personnel Good progress was made with the training of new men as hunters and also of the more experienced men for appointment as officers of the field staff. (2) High-level Hut and Air Transportation An experimental high-level hut, the component parts of which were dropped by aeroplane, was erected on Mount Crawford, Tararua Range. The party based thereon was serviced by air transport. Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed, and the pilot Mr. 0. Anderson and his assistant, Mr. P. Symons, of Aerodromes Services, Public Works Department, were killed whilst engaged on air transport work in connection with the Department's campaign in the Fiordland National Park. It is hoped to resume the scheme when another aircraft becomes available. This matter can now be considered to have successfully passed the experimental stage and to be available for increasing exploitation in future operations. (3) Stewart Island The field officer stationed permanently on Stewart Island met with an accident and "was unable to carry out his duties for approximately five months of the year, consequently the number of animal pests destroyed is not so great as in previous years. (4) Operations Operations were conducted over a large portion of the deer and goat-infested country of New Zealand. Most of the areas on which operations were not conducted were subject to intensive shooting by private commercial hunters. Reconnaissance work was carried out over the remainder of the country on which the Department did not operate with a view to conducting campaigns during the coming year.

10