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NATIVE FAUNA.

A PLEA FOR PROTECTION. "NO MORE DANGEROUS ANIMALS." A deputation from the Wellington Zoological Society waited on the lion. H. D. Bell, Minister lor Internal Affairs, and the Hon. James Alien, Minister lor I'inance, yesterday morning, to urge the protection of native birds and animals which, are threatened with extinction. The deputation was headed by the Rev. J. Crewes, president of the society. Mr. Crewes said that the question of the preservation of native lamia. was one in which his society was deeply interested. Wo had in New Zealand the most important reptile now on earth, and the one which was of most inte/est to scientists—the tuatara. lie had read a statement recently that there were only 1000 tuataras now alive. It would be a crimo against the world if they allowed the tuataras to dio out. They asked the Government to give more consideration to this important question. They had been assured that no poaching was now going on. Not; long ago the tuatara had been found from the North Cape to the Bluff, but nowadays it was found only on some of tlie outlying islands. There were none on the mainland. With regard to the great spotted kiwi, a bird of great value to ornithologists, Jfr. Crowes said that they could find no record of the birds having recently been seen. They would like tho Government to give the people some reassurance as to its existence. In his reply, Mr. Bell said that the Government had taken a great deal of care with regard to the preservation of the tuatara. They had been in communication with lighthouse-keepers regarding the killing of cats, and received reports from them as to" the number of tuataras on their islands. Major Mair had also reported with regard to tuataras on other islands, most of which were fortunately more or less inaccessible. He was enffeavouring to arrange for a certain number of tuataras to be brought to tho mainrfind, and placed in the charge of some such society as tlio deputation represented. They were anxious fo see whether the tuatara would breed out of its natural habitat. He did not think that the Government could do more than it was doing at present. Mr. Bell said that ho would take the opportunity of stating that he would not allow the importation into the country of dangerous animals. Some people had been anxious to import snakes, but this he had forbidden. He believed they had been trying to improve the breed of dingoes at the Wellington Zoo. He would not have suck animals brought into the country. He understood their point of view. They wished to have tho animals to show to the children, but if they got loose they were exceedingly dangerous, and he would not have them. Mr. Croucs: Since our society has been in charge of tho Zoo, no animals have, escaped, with, the exception, perhaps, of a monkey. The Minister: That may be so, but I shall take no chances. I will not have your dingoes or your snakes. Mr. Crewes: Our society has not asked for permission to import dingoes. The Minister:' You applied only a sbort time ago. Mr. Crowes: Not our society, Sir. The Minister: Yes, your society. With regard to kiwis, Mr. Bell said that he had absolutely refused to allow the exportation of the birds, and wbere he had heard of thoir existence, he had liad them captured and sent to the Little Barrier.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19130716.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1803, 16 July 1913, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
581

NATIVE FAUNA. Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1803, 16 July 1913, Page 3

NATIVE FAUNA. Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1803, 16 July 1913, Page 3

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