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Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1926, Page 2

The doer nuisance seems to ho cropping up continually of late. It should he remembered that the acclimatisation societies are not responsible for tho introduction of deer into this country. They are in the unfortunate position of having to exercise a control over the sport of (leer-stalking, after the quarry has become a serious danger to settlement. In Westland, for instance, for the past two seasons the Acclimatisation Society pledged its revenue from deer licenses for the culling of doer. Under tho scheme about 700 head of deer wore culled in South Westland last summer, and about 800 head will he killed under the contract for this year. It should he borne in mind, also, that the deer herd in South Westland is now considered the finest in New Zealand. At the time of the Wembley Exhibition the Government made a special show of deed heads at Home with a view to attracting deer* stalkers to New Zealand, and some few came, but the Government can hardly hope to attract stalkers to tho country if it he known that on the other hand the authorities are doing all they can to exterminate the herds. At the same iime it is not desirable, even for tho sake of the herd to allow the deer to increase too rapidly. Constant and judicious culling is necessary for the sake of the herd. If file herds were kept in hand more they would he less of a nuisance, because they would keep more in the high country, and would not he forced to come down to plantations for feed. When that comes to pass the doer develope into a positive nuisance. In the high country where the timber is of little commercial value, the deer'can do hut little harm, and it is in that habitat that the sportsman likes to stalk his quarry. The matter is to be considered in conference verv shortly, but the only cure is judicious culling carried out by careful and reliable men who know the hack country and understand the habits of tho deer, and can seek out the stock* which it is necessary to short off. The deer herds of N<jw Zealand have been the subject of much attention in the world of sport, and have assisted in no small way to draw attention to the country. Bv exercising regular control in the annual culling operations, it should he possible to maintain the deer herds with credit to the country and to the joy of the sportsman.

The. Hokitika Volunteer Fire Brigade is holding a public function to-morrow evening which is worthy of liberal patronage. There is no institution in our midst more deserving of public support. Aetitis so often left to its own devices to find the ways and means to carry on. The moment an alarm of fire is given the members of the Brigade down tools and rush to action. It matters not what the hour or the state of the weather. The alarm is sounded, and the desire to do their duty takes charge, and in a remarkably short space of time the firemen and all their gear are at the point of action. All this service is done in an honorary way, and it is for the people to help when they can to assist the members’ fund so that it will not he necessary to go hogging ifor funds. The event to-morrow night should therefore be well patronised. When the occasion calls, the firemen respond always promptly to the call of duty. To-mor-row. as it were, the call is on the public, and will be for them to respond a.s promptly to the call. The local Fire Brigade has a very fine record, and it is an institution which commands as well as deserves support. A bumper attendance at the public function tomorrow night would he a compliment to the brigadesmen which we are sure would he appreciated very greatly.