A WHITE CRAPS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1919, Page 4

A WHITE CRAPS.

EOXTON’S “ DOVE OF PEACE.’’

During the past fortnight Foxton has been thrown into a state of subdued excitement by the appearance there of a solitary white crane, which has made its habitat, temporarily at all events, in the vicinity of the township. Such visitations are so rare in New Zealand that the fact was communicated to the Department of Internal Affairs, which at once took steps to see that no harm came to the stranger. The Wellington Acclimatisation Society 'jvas asked by the Department to do what was in its power to protect the bird, and at once instructions were sent to the Society’s ranger to locate the bird, and warn the public that it must on no account be interfered with. Notices were exhibited to that effect in the towD, and the local paper published a leading article on the subject. The ranger reported in due course that he had duly located the stranger, which was “ the most popular item in Foxton.”

Mr 0. I. Dasent, secretary of the Wellington' Acclimatisation Society, says that it is on record that a solitary white crane appears in this country now and again. “Whither they come and whence they go,” he knew not. About three years ago one appeared down south, and about three years before that one appeared in South Canterbury, and some time before that again one was seen at the back of the Maymorn estate at Akatarawa.