TUATARA LIZARDS.
IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION. Tho tuatara lizard has' disappeared from all parts of New Zealand except the unfrequented islands round our coasts, and it is rapidly disappearing from there also. Mr. W. H. D. Bell recently tabled a question in tho House of Representatives asking tho Government whether tliey would take steps to ensure tho adequate protection of tuatara lizards oil the- mutton-bird isislands. It was understood, ho said, that visitors to tho mutton-bird islands —nioro especially Natives —wcro in tho habit of thoughtlessly killing tuatara lizards in considerable numbers, and lie suggested that effectivo steps should be taken to prevent such killing. The reply which tlio Prime Minister gave to the question yesterday was not encouraging. "It is feared," said Mr. Massey, "that tho expenso of attempting to protect tho tuatara on islands frequented by mutton-birds wquld -prohibitive. It is an offence to take or yastroy the tuatara, but it is practically impossible to provo offences by those who visit tho islands to take muttonbirds. Tho Government is informed, however, that so far as tho Maoris aro concerned there is littlo danger of intejferenco with tlieso reptiles."
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Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 4
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190TUATARA LIZARDS. Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 4
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