FIGHTING THE DEER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 936, 1 April 1930, Page 8

FIGHTING THE DEER

KING COUNTRY FARMERS ANGRY LAW TO BE INVOKED From Our Oven Correspondent TATJMARTJNUI, Monday. A representative meeting of farmers of the Taumarunui dis. trict resolved on Saturday night to move in the direction of having local deer herds declared a “pest,” in view of the great damage being done to crops and pastures. Mr. R. Hantfley, o£ the Taring*, motu Valley, in which area the Auekland Acclimatisation Society first liberated deer some years ago, explained that the meeting was really representative of the Farmers’ Union. Mr. A. W. King, of Tun* kotekote, was voted to the . hair. Correspondence was received front Mr. F. Langstone, M.P., explaining what he had done, and also from the Minister of Internal Affairs advising the farmers interested as to what course to adopt, in placing their point of view before the proper authorities. The chairman considered that the best course was to accept the Minis, ter's suggestion and send all the available evidence to the Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, for discussion at the coming conference. He suggested that they ask that the deer should be declared a “pest.” Mr. R. Handley: The deer should be declared a pest outright! On a motion by Messrs. Meads and Waller, a committee consisting of Messrs. A. Kinuell, R. Handley and A. E. Congdon was set up to draft the document for the Dominion president, PLOUGHING MADE USELESS Mr. G. Gemmell said he had given up ploughing for swedes. Last year the deer had ruined 25 acres, and he could not afford to grow turnips for deer! Mr. Handley said he had a stalker with 15 years’ experience on his farm at present, and after seeing the damage done, he decided to shoot every deer he saw. Mr. Handley con. sidered the Acclimatisation Society should be held responsible for the damage done to the crops. Mr. Waller stated that if the deer were not got rid of the settlers would have to walk off their holdings in time. Some discussion took place in re. gard to shooting the deer, and it was resolved to add to their represent* tions the request that stalkers be asked to destroy all animals met with, and not to go out just for “heads.” Mr. Stewart said it was monstrous to think that turnips that had been sown at a cost of £6 an acre were being destroyed because of the nece* sity of providing fun for two or three sportsmen. On a motion by Messrs. Stanton and Meads, it was resolved to request the Department, of Internal Affairs to make strong representations to the conference of organisations interested in the control of deer in New Zealand of the serious position that has arisen in this district. Mr. Stanton remarked that the existence of farming in the district was at stake. This menace had to be fought like rabbits and the blackberry, which were introduced with the best intentions, but had become a pest. They must be determined to take further steps if the first representations did not result in an amendment of the law. “DEFY THE SOCIETY!” Mr. H. P,orck said that if they got turned down they would have to take things in their own hands and defy the Acclimatisation Society. He had seen 10 deer on his property that day and another person had seen a herd of eight. Mr. Handley was of the opinion that there w T ere at least 100 of the animals round his place alone. Various estimates regarding the total number of deer in the district were given, but all were greatly in excess of the Acclimatisation Society’s estimate of 100. M r. Handley was of the opinion that in the Taringamotu Valley the number must be about 500, The rate of increase is one of the most alarming features of the position, as the district seems exceptionally congenial to the breed. It is hoped that the broadcasting throughout New Zealand of the action by the farmers, and the publicity given to the seriousness of the deer menace in the Taumarunui district, will have the effect of drawing publia attention to the matter.