OPOSSUMS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1927, Page 4

OPOSSUMS

POSSIBILITIES OK A XEW INDUSTRY IN WESTLAND AND WESTERN OTAGO. (Contributed.) The need for vision in stocking our idle forests with valuable and revenueproducing animals was never so apparent as it is to-day. With the decreasing output from fur producing countries and the increasing demand for fur, points plainly the opening for establishing this important industry in New Zealand. No better locality could be found for the breeding of these animals on a large scale than the remote forest dis-

Diets ol Western Otago and Westland. These districts, owing to lack of access, at present lay idle, for flic most part unoccupied and unpopulated. It lias been said by experienced men that opossums do little or no damage, less can they do in the Southern Alps whenfanning will never lie ; and where no revenue may he expected for years to come other than indirectly from tourist traffic and stalking licences. The latter is eaten up by the cost of culling the rapidly increasing herds. No such danger exists with opossums. In face of the large returns from trapping these animals, it is astonishing such a source of revenue has been over-looked so long. Rangers and others who know the remote districts of the West Coast are unanimous and most enthusiastic in their assurance of its suitability for successful breeding of opossums. They consider they do no damage. In fact, some declare they improve the forests. They certainly cannot and have not done a fraction ol the damage deer have done in our forests, or can they trespass on farm lands.

Opossums were liberated in the Makarova Valley some years ago near the .settlement yet seldom is one seen. Their marks can lie seen in the hush and occasionally one has been poisoned from a poison rabbit bait near the bush. The "West Coast climate is unequalled during the trapping season and tlie unbridged rivers offer no problem at this time of. the year. The transit of trappers, traps and rations and skins (lo not necessarily call for a railway dr a vehicle road.

f The Alps and coastal hills are accessible by good bridle tracks and the Coast by shipping. The Jackson Bay District is especially suited for opossum breeding where shipping can eater for trappers without difficulty. The Hollylord Valiev offers equal opportunities lor siuli scheme with a boat landing 1 at either Martin’s or Big Bay. The Haast Valley which is easily accessible could accommodate comfortably mili lions of opossums. Such a scheme put into practice would in a very short space of time, give employment to hundreds of trappers. at a time of the year when employment is scarce. It is the Government’s duty to stock these areas with the most valuable i varieties without further delay and a | few years hence their trouble and outlay | will he returned fourfold in revenue. ' export and employment. ] A new and lasting industry from an at present unproductive country would he created. :