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Takahe : Following on tlie splendid discovery by Dr. G. B. Orbell and party that a colony existed in the Te Anau district, consultations took place with the Lands and Survey Department and other interested organizations. Special legislation was brought down by the Lands and Survey Department restricting access to portions of the Fiordland National Park. Action is planned to control deer and stoats in the area prior to next nesting season. Suggestions that the birds should be reared in captivity or brought out for exhibition will be considered when the requisite data on which to base such proposals has been obtained. Protection of Sea-birds on Otago Peninsula. —Fencing, experimental cover plantings, and the erection of notices have been carried out. Despite satisfactory progress elsewhere, disturbance of the nesting royal albatross at Taiaroa Head continues. Further work has been planned in co-operation with local interests. To assist with the preservation of native birds, a full-time ranger has been appointed for the three South Island west coast acclimatization districts. Portion of the salary is being provided by the acclimatization societies concerned. (2) Sanctuaries Two new sanctuaries were declared. A sand-dune area near Woodhill, in the Auckland Acclimatization District, and Sandfly Bay and the Gull Rocks, on Otago Peninsula. The boundaries of the Tutira Sanctuary were amended. Inspection was made of further island sanctuaries, including a visit to the Great King Island of the Three Kings group, where the goats were destroyed in 1946. No goat signs were found and a marked improvement was noted in the state of the vegetation. (3) Imported and Native Game An animal protection Warrant was issued declaring guinea-fowl to be imported game in the Waimarino Acclimatization District. With the exception of the Hobson district, shooting seasons were declared in all acclimatization districts. As the result of suggestions that stubble quail should be introduced from Australia, extensive inquiries were made in Australia as to their habits and food. Permits were again issued in considerable numbers for the destruction of pukeko and Canadian geese where property-owners showed that the birds were damaging property. Paradise duck continue to increase in the North Island, where open seasons were observed in seven districts. Permission to destroy these birds had to be granted to one farmer where large numbers of the birds were doing extensive damage to young crops. (4) Importation of Animals and Birds An increased number of applications was received and close liaison was maintained with other interested Departments with a view to preventing the importation and establishment of undesirable species or diseases.

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