TAKAHE SAFETY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 101, 11 February 1950, Page 3

TAKAHE SAFETY

STATMENT MADE BY MINISTER (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 10. “If necessary the most stringent precautions will be taken to protect the takahe in Notornis valley in Otago,” said the Minister of Lands (Mr E. B. Corbett) at New Plymouth to-day, when commenting' on the statement by Dr. G. B. Orbell that the activities of the National Film Unit had destroyed 50 per cent, of the natural increase of the birds in the valley. “This matter comes under my control as Minister of Lands, and 1 intend to give every possible protection to these rare native birds,” said Mr Corbett. The matter had already been brought under his notice by the member for Invercargill (Mr J. R. Hanan) and the position was already being investigated.

“Immediately on 'my return to Wellington the whole matter will receive my closest attention, and I can assure the public that the most stringent measures in the issuing of permits to enter the valley will be taken to ensure that these birds are not disturbed,” said Mr Corbett.

FILM UNIT CRITICISM (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 10. “Dr. Orbell’s information is inaccurate and his comments unfair and erroneous,” said the Director of the Dominion Museum (Dr. R. A. Falla) today, replying to the claim by Dr. Orbed that the activities of the National Film Unit have disturbed the notornis nesting area. “The factors causing the lack of fertility of the eggs is unknown, but it is entirely wrong to ascribe the condition of the eggs to disturbance by the Film Unit photographers, who did not see a chick during the time they were there,” said Dr. Ij’alla.