SEASON TO CLOSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 921, 14 March 1930, Page 10

SEASON TO CLOSE

OPOSSUM REPORT AWAITED T think it would be expedient to adopt a motion that all trapping of opossums be prohibited in the Auckland district,” said Mr. F. E. McKenzie, at a meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society last evening. Mr. McKenzie presided. It was stated that the question of propagating the opossum throughout the Dominion or destroying it was one of the utmost importance, and would affect not only the society, but New Zealand. Professor Kirk had been making investigations into the habits of the opossum, and his report was anxiously awaited. Mr. McKenzie said many people believed the opossum to be deleterious to bird and vegetable life, and that its destruction would be beneficial to the country. But on the other hand, if this idea was proved to be erroneous, and the animal was extensively cultivated, New Zealand would benefit by a new and valuable industry. The opossum was a rodent that was easily destroyed through trapping, and he considered that, until a definite conclusion had been arrived at, such practices should be restricted.

It was proposed that, in view of the circumstances, the season be closed. The proposal was accepted. A letter received from the Inspector of Fisheries informed the society that in regard to the importation of rainbow ova, arrangements had been made with the American fish authorities. If the authorities were successful in collecting the usual amount of ova from the inland Californian waters, a shipment of 100,000 would be forwarded to the society some time in May. '‘The ova, if received, would be hatched at the Internal Affairs Department hatchery at Rotorua.

It was observed that if the fry were introduced into a river which had hitherto failed to retain the fish, it would provide opportunity to study whether the tendency to migrate was due to environment or was hereditary. Mr. C. M. Gordon was appointed delegate to represent the society at the deer conference, which is to be held in Christchurch. The object of the conference is to consider the best means of eradicating the huge herds of deer in the South Island. Mr. IT. C. Savage remarked that this state of affairs did not prevail in the Auckland district, where the deer menace was a nonentity.

The Australian duck, which was actually not a duck, but a member of the goose family, was reported to be unsuitable for importation. It was decided to discontinue any further importations.

The annual meeting of the society was fixed for April 15.