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Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1932, Page 4

The efforts of the Internal Affairs Department to find markets for deer skins, and so make dter-culling tions profitable, are discussed, in • the D( parement’s annual report, presented in th© House. The total results of the year’s operations were 11,300 deer killed, 277 goats killed, and 6246 deer skins recovered. In addition, a ' tail bonus to private individuals, in the South Island was paid in respect of. L7,9'58 ("deer killed. Ample (evidence of the tremendous destruction caused by deer was apparent during the course of operations in .the Makarora Valley, continues the report.' The area comprises a comparatively small strip'of grassland on the valley floor, a broad belt of forest lying .'between the i floor anti timberline below the snowtops, and a vast area of tussock covered tops alcove the timberline. These tops provide abundant feed for deer during, the summer and autumn, but during the winter are completely covered with snow, when the deer live entirely }n the bush and emerge immediately the Spring feed shows uponthe flats, The result of thei - whole stock of deer from this great area being concentrated in the bqsh for some mouths, is that every green thing within reach is eaten, and the ground is trampled like a stock-yard. The inroads on our pasture lands, too have been very, real. That genuine relief has been afforded by . the deer killing operations of the Department is fully substantiated by advices received from .pastoralists in the districts worked over. Runholders have not only sought the Department’s assistance, but have whole-heartedly cooperated with the Department to the utmost of their ability. Many expressions of their appreciation and of their gratification at the results achieved have been received. The Department was much concerned as to the expenditure involved in the methods adopted for deer destruction from which, no direct return was being received, It was realised that the most satisfactory solution would be the commercialisation of the work of destruction, hence the decision to save the skins in- all possible cases so as to explore the possibility of markets for this .commodity. Without detailing all the efforts made to find ■avenues for sale overseas, it is sufficient now to> say that markets have been found at a price which should make deer destruction attractive and remunerative ns an avenue of employment. The tail bonus (first 2s and later Is 6d), payments have therefore been disecontinned, and a bonus for skins on the basis of weight substituted. Should the present market demand he maintained' it is hoped that with the operation of organised parties in the rougher and inaccessible breeding areas, and that of private individuals and . ow.rties elsewhere, the deer .menace to forest ami;,posture can. soon be regarded ars untier effective' control. .