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Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1396, 6 March 1905, Page 1

" At the annual meeting of the Auck’and Institute the Council made tbe fol owing reference to the proposed cbaDgo in the control of the Little Barrier Island from their institute to the Government Tour st Department : —The maintenance of tho Little Barrier Island as a sanotuary for the preservation of the avifauna of New Zealand, which has existod since tho beginning of 1897, ia now about to close, tbe Government having intimated that tho Tourist Deportment will assume direct control at tbe end of the financial year, on March 31. The council claim that during the eight years tho island has been in their obarge the visits of collectors have been effectually stopped, and that no unauthorised persons have been allowed to land ; that tbe stock left upon the island by the Maori owners bos beon removed, and that their visits have consequently ceased ; and that wild cats and other vermin have been shot or otherwise destroyed. The result of these measures is seen in the fact that birds of all kinds are much more numerous than when tbe island was first acquired, and are more generally distributed, even breeding in largo numbers on the flat, close to tbo curator’s bouse. Tho council much regret the change, and would point out that ia removing the management of the island from the institute the Government are losing, tho services of a local body whose’sympathies and inclinations are all on tho side of tbe preservation of the fauna of. New Zealand, nnd who can command tho expert knowledge that is required, whereas it cannot be said that tho Tourist Department possesses any special qualifications for the work. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr L. ,T. Bagnall " That this meeting of members of the institute protests against the change in control of the Little Barrier Island from their institute to tbe Government TouriGt Department.” Five Shillings in the '£ Discount off all Lace Neckwear. Choice Assortment of this Season’s Novelties. •Real Bargains—.C. ROSIE <ss CO,