ACCLIMATISATION MATTERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3135, 13 July 1917, Page 9

ACCLIMATISATION MATTERS

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. A deputation from the AVellington Acclimatisation Society, consisting of Messrs. L. 0. H. Tripp (president), W. H. Field (a member, of the council), and C. Dasent (secretary), waited on tho Hon. G. W. Bussell (Minister of Internal Affairs) yesterday, to ask for the protection of the native pigeons, tho unrestricted importation of stubblo quail, and tho utilisation of: Boy Scouts to assist in ranging. Tho speakers pointed out that it was most desirable that native pigeon should bo strictly protected in all parts of tho Dominion. Sportsman who paid licenses were observing tho protection which had been placed upon tho pigeon, but in many parts of the North Island, especially along the Main Trunk Line, the bird was being slaughtered in hundreds. Tho deputation also strongly urged that there should bo no restriction on tho importation of stubblo quail. As to tho question of tho employment of Boy Scouts as honorary rangers, it was pointed out that they would bo able In render valuable- assistance to tho rangers of the Acclimatisation Society. Tho Minister, in replying, stated it might bo wise to employ a number of constables in plain clothes to range Hie districts where tho slaughter of Iho nativo pigeon toolc place, or, in the alter-native,-if the practice could not bo checked to allow shooting by license-holders in certain denned districts, particularly ui> the Main Trunk Lino. With legaril (o stubblo qttiiil, the fiovcriiment hid decided to allow unrestricted importation, being satisfied that !;ho bird was a desirable one. As to the employment of Boy Scouts ns rangers, he did i,ot think this was desirablo, although he was quite satisfied that they might bo useful in assisting to collect evidence for the purpose of putting down poaching, jfo would, however, he in favour of extra honorary rangers if tho society recommended them.