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Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1928, Page 2

The Westland Acclimatisation Society has been requested by the Minister of Internal Affairs to take active steps to suppress the destruction of the native pigeon on the Coast. Reports reach Wellington from time to time that pigeons are “being shot out jn this district, and the authorities are requested now to take the fullest steps to suppress the practice.

native pigeon is now a completely protected bird, and there is not any open season at all for the taking of pigeons. Licenses are not issued in the shooting season for the killing of pigeons, neither has anyone the right to kill the pigeons if found on Lis holding. The law on this point is very definite and to secure the preservation of the native pigeons the authorities have determined that Acclimatisation Societies generally must enforce the law strictly. It- may not he known that last year two rangers were -sent into the district by tlio Department of Internal Affairs to investigate the position, and. it is understood the more active steps now to he taken in suppressing the illegal practices of the past, are an outcome of tho report made at that time. The visiting rangers who travelled incognito, apparently gleaned enough to advise headquarters of certain practices, and the upshot lias boon tho order for a more rigorous enforcement of tlio law. In connection with illicit shooting of game, it may not be known generally that a scenic reserve is akiru to a sanctuary for the preservation of all bird life, and that birds may not he shot in a scenic- reserve; nor indeed may firearms he carried. In Westland there are many scenic reserves, and these areas are all covered by the prohibition referred to. It is understood also that it is tlio intention ill the interests of the preservation of bird life to declare more sanctuaries in tho district. Bird-life plays an .important part in the regeneration of the national forest, and it i.s essential, the one being helpful to the other, to seek to preserve both. Sportsmen must make up their minds to find their shooting privileges in respect to native game more and more restricted in the future. In many districts this i.s being recognised and prepared for by Acclimatisation Societies arranging for the introduction of imported game to take the place of the prohibited native game. W here shooting licenses are numerous funds are available, but here shooting licenses are not very numerous and the revenue deriving would not go very far in providing funds to import birds for sport. ’flic whole position is reaching that point now when s]K>rtsmen will have to do more for their own sport if they desire to shoot certain classes of birds, in season.