OPOSSUMS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1928, Page 2

OPOSSUMS

Air A. Cederman wrote tlie local Society as, follows; I deem it very necessary that the wild, statement made by Mr E. V. Sanderson should be repudiated, as people who are not acquainted with the facts will believe what lie lias written. 1 might mention that for the past fifty years, I have been a sportsmen and have observed with sorrow the destruction of our native birds, especially the grOund birds, which has been caused solely by the introduction of the detestable weasel, which has arid- is destroying 80 per cent' of our birds, by their deadly method of taking the eggs and the young; out of their nests. ~ While standing in the bush I .hay? watchqd the weasel looking and sniffing up Reps where birds are, and then climb the tree in pursuit. I have observed: the weasel will not attack a raUbit,i so t long as. the .birds are about, so v that /bis usefulness for which lie was 1 imported, is nil and he should he releiitlessly exterminated. So to nceon'iplisli This, a goodly sum should hr* set on hisßu], . Until this is done the BiVd 1 Protection ‘Gocietv might as well shut up shop.

While opossum trapping this season T caught four of these vermins, and T noticed that where T caught them was in the Miro country where the pigeons were feeding on the heiiies. As for the opossum he is the most harmless creature that has been imported into this country, and his prooaerition should be encouraged, esoeciallv the better varieties ; and as iitor dbstraying ’ birds fincl' e'afing eggs 'vf 'Air E‘. l! V. ‘Sanderson 1 . 1 will OAok’nl Its teetlf ’Ife 1 slididd bebof l iv7need''nß; to this, as tlie'ofxissum ' W a 'hei'bivorbps animal. hAt eatnivorouA Tie tlie 1 fD'strilctiou-' ’ of 1 tlib ’ native bush, the deer are wholly responsible for- ithis! { I IraJe been dee'r 1 stalking •for the bpfisf'eleven''ydars'-' kiitl ’have Observed that the undergrowth and small treefs ' are''disappe'aritig ‘fast fiinl on one 'bbhasibn 11' canie 1 to a ,: spot where ; th'fife- ; Intel bebri “a fitag fight! pveryjhifig e'xCeptihg tlie ! big Tree 1 -' had been knocked do\vn for 'One 'chain in diameter. This was near Dorothv •n*g)Jq, Lake Kanieri. so this beast should be shot at on sight and absolutely all protection removed. .In conclusion,, youpwill be- pleased to know that.l have seen flora native nigeons this year tliaiii ’li liave. seen for the past , fifteen wyeabs.^.,AVbile otit ; in the bush, one day l saw thirteen -.pigbdhs fly plist 'nie - *ifi ’loss than five Vnjinutcs'” Thid I■-aitrhiuteri' solely to the .trapping' of ’tlie-' Aeasb'l by the opossum trappers.