A MENANGE TO CROPS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 March 1910, Page 4

A MENANGE TO CROPS.

The Auckland Acclimatisation Society recently applied to the Hon. D. Buddo, Alinister for Internal Affairs, for permission to make tho present season an open one for the shooting of game in the Auckland district. The desire to have this season an open one is held by the most of the Acclimatisation Societies in the North Island on account of the plentifulness of game. At a recent meeting of the Society the following telegram from the Alinister was received ferring to representations made by your secretary I have to inform you that as at present advised I am not prepared to recommend His Excellency to declare any district exempt from the provisions of Section 26 of the Animals Protection Act, 1908, which fixes a close season for native and. imported game for 1910, and everv third vear thereafter.— D. Buddo."

To this communication the Secretary was instructed to reply that if the'season were declared a close season it would mean that the income of the Society for the year would be reduced,by £250, and that such a reduction,would render the Society unable to pay the salaries of its rangers. The Act of 1908 would, therefore, be ineffectual, since there would be no means of enforcing its provisions, and poaching and shooting out of season would be common. In connection with the attitude of the Society it is interesting to note that the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association has also forwarded to the Minister for Internal Affairs, a protest against 1910 being a close season. The reason given for this protest is that game birds are now so plentiful as to cause serious damage to the crops in many districts. It is said that many farmers who have suffered by the ravages of the birds have declared their intention of taking steps to lessen the trouble should the Government make no move in the matter.