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(5) Opossums The control of these animals remains a difficult problem. Consideration has been given to many suggestions put forward by interested organizations. Payment of a bounty for control of such a wild animal population is, both from New Zealand and overseas experience, no solution. The special situation at Mount Egmont has been investigated with a view to interim assistance being given to the Park Board. D. Noxious Wild Animals Control Operations (1) Operations General operations were undertaken covering large areas of deer- and goat-infested country. Skins recovered amounted to : deer, 13,246 ; goats, 1,188. Some of the areas worked in previous years were made available for private stalkers, as the numbers of deer had greatly decreased. It is considered that the animals in these areas can now be kept under control by private persons, subject to regular inspection. The arrangement operated successfully, and will be developed when and where circumstances permit. (2) Special Campaigns The experimental campaign against opossums in a limited area was continued with satisfactory results and further data was obtained on suitable control methods. A winter campaign against wallabies was conducted in the Hunter's Hills region of South Canterbury with good results, and their early control is anticipated. (3) Wild Pigs Control work in east Taranaki and western King-country was continued during the winter with satisfactory results. It is considered that the poisoning method evolved will meet the situation both here and elsewhere, should further work be found necessary. (4) Tahr and Chamois Operations were again undertaken in the Mount Cook region, where the tahr situation is now satisfactory.. Chamois continue to present a problem and much remains to be done before these animals can be considered as being under control. Operations during the year resulted in an increased number being killed. (5) Stewart Island The cutting of tracks to facilitate access by deer-hunters to infested areas is now producing good results in the way of increased tallies. The building of accommodation for personnel was completed on a. section kindly presented by Mr. Gr. M. Turner. Operations continue with increasing attention to the preservation in a natural state of the small islands in Patterson Inlet. (6) Noxious Animals Destroyed The table set out opposite covers the numbers destroyed in the various operational districts. For comparative purposes a similar table covering the year ended 31st March, 1948, is also included.

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