SOUTH ISLAND FORESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1924, Page 3

SOUTH ISLAND FORESTS

WHERE ARE THE BIRDS 5 AY ELLINGTON, Jan. 30. It is claimed that stoats and weasels have become so prevalent in the .South Island that a trip from Nelson to Otago recently there was a remarkable absence of bird life, miles of hush being traversed with hardly a member of the feathered tribe to he scon. Aottive steps are to he taken to get protection removed from stoats and wca-

A gentleman who accompanied members of the AYcllington Chamber of Commerce during their recent trip down the West Coast declares that during the tour they travelled nearly a thousand miles by motor from Nelson down the Coast to the Franz Josel glacier, and they were all struck by the exceptional absence of bird life ot all kinds. They travelled several hundreds of miles through undisturbed native bush, hut the party did not see a single wcka or kaka, neither did they see half a dozen pigeons or tuis. until they got within a. few miles of Waiho George, about one hundred miles south of Hokitika.

The same state of things appeared to exist further south, for at Waiho the party met two Hampers who had journeyed through on loot from Pembroke over the llanst Pass, and they reported a similar absence ol wckas on the whole journey. At one time these native birds nourished there in their thousands, the bush being alive with them. They were very tame and would scarcely run away. Their scarcity today is stated to he due to the presence of stoats and weasels, a number of which were seen on the journey. I hey were imported to overcome the rabbit pest, hut in Great Britain stoats and weasels arc regarded as v> rmin ami

continuous war is waged upon" them. At present they are protected by law iu the Dominion.. But strong representations are to be made to tlm Department through the Nee Zealand Forestry League, for the purpo-e pi

having the protect ion removed in order to encourage the. bird lile, which is so essential for spreading id the forests. The Wellington traveller- hope the authorities will recogui-e the urgent necessity of action being taken u bird life is to survive.