OPOSSUM REGULATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1926, Page 4

OPOSSUM REGULATIONS

' A FEW ALTERATIONS. There are not many alterations in tlio opossum regulations now gazetted, but there is a general collation of relative matter lacking in last year’s “Gazette,” (and some matters are more clearly dealt with. In regard to persons trapping on their own property in the open season, the old regulations provided that any person in occupation of land or any sou or daughter of such person could trap without n license provided that notification of the intention to trap was given. This, it was found, admitted of poaching to a certain degree and the new regulations provide that before trapping the person must apply to the secretary of the acclimatisation society for a permit, the application to be accompanied by the certificate of the society’s ranger that the person is a bona lido occupier, sen or daughter. No Ice is paid for the society’s permit. Tho regulations affecting orchards have been slightly altered. Under the old regulations the occupier of any orchard registered under the Orchard and Gardens Diseases Act, 1903, or his employee, was empowered to take opossums in the orchard, or within half n mile of it, and occupiers within half a mile of the orchard were similarly empowered. This permission is now limited to a certain extent. In the case of an orchard not exceeding an acre in extent, the provisions limit the taking of opossums to the orchard itself. If the orchard exceeds an acre in extent, the lnilf-mile provision holds good. Anyone authorised by the owner ol tho orchard may kill opossums on the above areas.

It has been found that the stamp signifying the payment of royalties bus been counterfeited by means of punches, and the regulations provide for the confiscation not only of such implements, hut of the skins found ill the possession of the user.