DESTRUCTION OF DEER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 791, 11 October 1929, Page 7

DESTRUCTION OF DEER

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS CO-OPERATOIN OF SOCIETIES The destruction of deer, as proposed by the Forestry Department, was discussed at a meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society last evening. Mr. T. S. Withers stated that the Forestry Department in its endeavours to exterminate the deer upon the grounds that they were deleterious to forests and native growth, was seeking opportunity to restrict, and possibly eliminate. the acclimatisation societies themselves. A letter had been received from the Under-Seretary of Internal Affairs, in which the writer asked for co-opera-tion among the various societies in dealing with the question of deer destruction. Mr. F. E. ALcKenzie said that the cause of the Government’s seemingly drastic action was the enormous number of deer which were overrunning the South Island and forming a real menace. He suggested that a case should be formulated and submitted to the Government stating that the council, realising the menace deer may become, is in accord with tlie Government’s policy, but undertakes that the Taumarunui herd will be properly controlled. Members stated that the herd in question was the only one of any size controlled by the Auckland Society. It was decided to appoint a sub-com-nvtt.ee consisting of Messrs. G. G. Kelly, T. S. Withers, and IT. C. Savage to make immediate inquiries concerning the Taumarunui herd, and collect information in support of its preservation. The secretary, Mr. C. M. Gordon, reported that the Asiatic quail which had recently been imported into the country had been liberated, and there was adequate reason to suppose they would become good game. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £223.