UNWELCOME PUKEKOS.

Shannon News, 29 November 1929, Page 2

UNWELCOME PUKEKOS.

GUN USED TO SCARE BIRDS. PAEROA, November 18. At a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court W. O’Hara pleaded not guilty to a charge of “attempting to take or kill a pukeko.” Sergeant Cahvell said accused had fired at the bird and missed his aim. Although the bird was not hit the act of firing necessitated a prosecution. Defendant said that pukekos were prolific breedfers, land had destroyed several hundreds of pounds worth of grain and maize crops on the farm, of which he was manager. The birds had destroyed fine food crops and caused nearly as much damage as a flood. had fired over the heads of the birds on his employer’s order to scare them off the property, which was near a lagoon, where ducks and pukekos bred, lie had applied to the Government for permission to destroy the birds. The ducks and pheasants did no harm. There were so many pukekos that if something were not done the farm would have to be abandoned. The magistrate, in dismissing the charge, said defendant had told a consistent story. He had fired under the instructions of his employer. The magistrate added that the owner of the farm could obtain authority from the Minister to clear the birds if the Minister was given satisfactory proof of the necessity. _____