ELUSIVE ROOK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 9 December 1927, Page 7

ELUSIVE ROOK

ANOTHER DISCUSSION METHODS TO ABATE THE NUISANCE. FARMERS DESIRE BOARD TO SET UP. At yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Executive of the Farmers’ Union the elusive Rook was discussed once again, with the object of devising some means whereby tho decimation of his abhorred species may be accomplished. Tho Minister of Agriculture, regarding the depredations of rooks in lhe Hawke’s Bay district, said that a statement, supplied to aim by the clerk of the H.B. County Council, showed that steps were being taken io abate the nuisance and, from that, it was evident the Council lieu not been passive in the mutter. The clerk had advised that the most effective method of destruction was the laying of poisoned grain, supplies of which were issued Cb all applicants, free of cost.

Mr Talbot said some private shooting parties, organised by the farmers had hept the birds off the nests coniinuousiy for two or three days to. chill the eggs, which had some effect, but the official shooting party knocked off at u p.m., and the birds came back to the nests; so that it was only a waste of money. The birds had to be kept off the nests day and night, to produce any effect. The chairman said that, if they approached the County Council, the council would meet the union as they did before by making provision for shooting parties. Mr Erickson said the only difficulty with the County Council was that they had no delinite scheme placed beiore them, whereby tue destruction of the rooks could bo carried out. If such a scheme .was submitted, they would give every assistance. The chairman considered that the English method of shooting the young birds when they appeared on the sides of the nests was the best. I'he shooting parties cleared the rooks out of Havelock North. It was too lato to operate this year, and the only thing was to do the best they could with the poisoned grain, for the pre sent, and in the meantime, those concerned should organise a battue for next season, when ho was sure the County Council would meet them fairly.

>lr C. Lassen said he tried to poison the rooks, but ho couldn’t succeed. About seven years ago, he tied a captive crow in a paddock, and when the bird flew up to length of his tether, and fell back with a squawk, the other rooks fled. Ho found the method satisfactory.

Mr Talbot pointed out that the methods found to be sufficient years ago, wore useless now, as the erm / add got to be as educated as the •fa.mers were. The County Council looked on the matter as a joke. Mr Erickson: A man can’t afford to sow a puddock twice.

It was decided to write the Minister, explaining that the poisoned grain was ineffffcctual, and asking him to allow the establishment of a board to deal with the pest.