TOWN SHOOTING PARTIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3839, 1 September 1928, Page 3

TOWN SHOOTING PARTIES.

CRITICISED BY RABBIT BOARD. Town shooting parties, organised for the purpose of indulging in a day’s sport in the country, received some very adverse criticism by members of the Manawatu Rabbit Board on Thursday. The question of applying to the Minister of Internal Affairs to have the protection on hares removed was under discussion and one member remarked that if the protection were removed a large number of hares would be killed by shooting parties. Trustee MeKelvie said he was not keen on shooters from the town roaming all over his property. Some of them were in the habit of sticking beer bottles up on gate posts and firing at them and the farmer had to go around the next day and gather up the pieces. They also had a happy knack of leaving gates open and riddling windmills with shot. The chairman (Mr. B. G. Gower) said that one party of “sports” who wished to gain access to his property, the gateway of which was barred by a stout gate of 6 x 1 timber and strong padlock, calmly stood off and fired shot after shot into the top railing until it was cut through and then lifted the chain through the gap and opened the gate. It was considered that at certain times of the year a great deal of harm was done to stock through shooting parties frightening the animals and causing stampedes. The Inspector (Mr. D. R. Barron) pointed out that the Stock Act provided a penalty of £5 for anyone trespassing on farm lands and causing disturbances among the stock.