NOXIOUS ANIMALS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5373, 11 January 1929, Page 1

NOXIOUS ANIMALS.

DESTROYING OUR FORESTS. ARB OUR BIRDS DOOMED ’ “in N'Ciw Zealand we are faced with one of those problems -•peculiar to oceanic islands in that when the white man arrived here .no animals existed in our. forc'S|ts except a rat of vegetarian habits,” states the New Zealand Native Bird Protection ciety, in reply to a London correspondent. “A forest was, thus evolved which could not resist the ravages o,f herbivorous animals. In this forest all mannep- of creatures have been liberated in. ignorance of sporting bodies and the Government. Deer, pigs, goats, Australian opossums, and goodness knows what else abound with dire results to, a wonderful forejst. Three parts of f he plant life of New Zealand is found nowhere else in the world, as stated by Dr. L. Cockayne, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.R.S,, and Darwin -Medalist. •

“Our. present problem ilg to get rid of these; noxious animals in our forests by any means down to poisoned salt licks, because when it is remembered that New Zealand is a steep mountainous country, and that no part is far reproved from the sea, it will be patent that, as these trespassing animals destroy the fores,t floor the results not only to the forests, but to the well-bejpg of the Dominion, as the result of excessive erosion can only be a a calamitous nature. It has been found that when these animals are reproved the forest regenerates in quite a remarkable manner, and is well able'to hold its own against introduced plant life. With, the improved conditions of the forest accruing from the elilmination of animal life of a herbivorous nature it hag been fully demonstrated on some of our many dutlying islands that the; bird, life ‘quickly increase no doubt as. a consequence of the better berry bearing of the forest trees, when, in a hqalthy condition and for other, reasons.

“It has been the custom, especially in America, to look upon the birds of this country as doomed,, but since the inauguration of thite society spme six years back, many species have undoubtedly increased,' and this can only be accounted for owing, to the increased interest, in bird protection we have been enabled! to imbue, in the community, thafiks to the very hearty backing which we have receiveji from our local Press, and the work of many able assisting members throughout the land. Since the late Whitney collecting- expedition raided the birds of this country, it has. been laid a’s, the policy of the department controlling such matters that no further foreign collecting will be permittedi, but if the taking of any skins is. at any time permitted, then the collecting will be undertaken by our own authorities, such collecting expeditions as the above mentioned, it is. feared, scarcely tend to smooth differences between nations.

“Should you care to again write us more fully with reference to the aims and! objects.- of the organisation you propose to set up, then we may be possibly able to render some little assistance in the direction you indicate. We do, not, however, think it politic, to birds in other countries owing to the danger of. attracting the collector, unless sonie good object is likely to be attained!, and we feel sure that all who desire to see birds of this country preserved wil think such a policy beneficial.”