OPOSSUMS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1929, Page 7

OPOSSUMS

Enquirer writes:—Cmld you <ri\ ( me any information as to bow tin opossum first became liberated in Westland ?

The above was referred to Mr Jus. Ring, who gave the following information • lher<> seems to be a good deal o misundorstaißlimr who first liberated the first lot of Phalnnius (commonß calk'd Opossums) in Westland allow mo to say that about -If) years ag< after reading the. Acclimatisation notes in the “Witness” | thought that I would like* to li'erale <ome o : these Marsupials in Westland. Th< Acclimatisation Society was practically dead, alive in name only. I wa not a mean her e>f the Society at tbi time. I took a list round and colleeted enough cash to purchase tei pairs of Black Oner sums. Therm cos' 2£s per pair and they were liberated on the slope's of Alt. Tuhua.

The only place that I knew wbeu-r they were available was from the Southland Society, and when I gavethe order for them they were rather puzzled as to how to ship them t.c Hokitika, but I gave them full directions'and they came safely to hand. After the Acclimatisation Society knew of my work they enrolled me as a member. The Society then lieeamc more active. Later another collection was made when we purchased some Perch, Touch, Carp and Catfish. Those were mostly liberated in Lake Mahinapna. A few Perch were liberated in Lake Kauieri. and as the road to Lake Kanieri was blocked beyond Kennedy’s store at the Forks, my brother Robert and I carried them to the Lake and liberated them. Ton years or so later the late Mr ,R. J. Scddon presented the Society with about 30 opossums. These Were also liberated at Lake Kanieri at the same place as the previous ones. This later. lot comprised Black and Silver Grey ones. Another lot was presented by Air Scddon to the Kumara Borough Council. These were liberated at the Big Dam at the hack ol Kumara. ic

The official opening of the Britannia Gold Mining Company took place at Birchfield this afternoon, when thirty shareholders and others were present. Mr A. W. Henley, Chairman of Directors, made c brief congratulatory speech and outlined the intended operations of the company. After other Directors had spoken, Mrs Henley broke a bottle over the battery, wishing the Company success. This is the first gold mining company in the Buffer district to begin operations since the war, most of its shares being bold locally. Formerly mining was carried on in the vicinity of the ]) rose lit works, and some good dividends wore paid, but the reef was lost, and operations ceased. The company are now working on blocks o! quart/, which promise well, and hope that developments will lead to the discovery of the main reel and to re newed activity in gold mining.