THE OPOSSUM SEASON

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1927, Page 4

THE OPOSSUM SEASON

NK\Y REGULATIONS. i 1 ro.sh regulations have been issued L>r 192/ in icspcol to the taking of up tv-, unis. 1 Such alterations arc m tlm main a re-enactment of the Opossum Regulations. 1926, but the opportunity lias been taken to make certain alterations thereto. Such alterations are as follows :

1. —A definition of “opossum ’’ has been inserted in the interpretation regulation. such definition excluding the Amcruim opossum from the operation of the regulations. 2. —ln the endeavour to cheek the killing of the animals bv the laying oi poison, it lias been provided that no person who lias within two years previous to his application for a license or Permit been convicted ul a breach of Section 15 of the Police Offences Act, 1-968, shall be able to obtain a license or permit, and any license or permit issued to such a person shall he of no effect, nor can such person take advantage .of the provisions of Clause 7 of Regulation 2 relating to orchards aim orchard areas.

3—Regulation 2 (5.) lias been amended to dispense with the necessity of an occupier of land forwarding a ranger’s certificate when applying for a permit to take opossums, Imt such occupier must prove to the satisfaction ol the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society concerned, that he is a bona tide occupier of the land in respect wheieuf the application is made. Clause (.") of Regulation 2 has been amended to provide that only registered orehnrdj.sts and buna, tide employees can take opossums without a license In registered orchards, and only occupiers ol land situated in orchard areas or in the half mile area surrounding certain registered orchards and bona fide employees of such occupiers, can take advantage of the provisions of the clause in question.

A license to take or kill opossums is now effective anywhere in the district concerned, with the consent of the occupier except in a sanctuary which is not a Scenic Reserve. In the case of Crown Land in private occupation, a license holder must now obtain the consent of the occupier he-] fore entering on such land. I Licensed brokers must now take out. an additional license in respect of every Acclimatisation District in which they carry on operations, irrespective. I ol whether or not the carrying on oi j such operations amounts to the opening of a branch. A license must still he procured for every branch of a hitsiness situated in an Acclimatisation District in respect whereof a broker’s license has been issed. Royalty on opossum skins must now he paid and the skins he stamped in the Acclimatisation District in which the skins were taken. The season on the Coast opens on the 11th June and in the Westland district licenses to take opossums are •obtainable at the Post Offices. Hokitika and Kuniara. The fee is £2 10s and a license must he procured before starting operations. Permission to trap on Crown Lands must he obtained from the Commissioner of Lands at ; Hokitika, and to trap over Forestry areas from the Conservator of Forests at Hokitika.