PROTECTION OF BIRDS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 74, 10 July 1869, Page 5

PROTECTION OF BIRDS.

A contemporary gives the following synopsis of the Acts for the protection of imported and native birds and animals : — "The Protection of Animals Act, 1867," after providing for the registration of Acclimatisation Societies, proceeds to define the animals to be protected, namely — pheasants, partridges, grouse, black game, quails, snipe, plover, swans, hares, antelopes, deer, and imported wild duck of any species. Native game — Wild duck of any snecies, bittern, pied stilt plover, wild geese, teal, black stilt plover, curlew, and quail. According to clause 11, none of these animals shall be shot or killed in any part of the Colony, until the district shall have been proclaimed as open for that purpose by an order in Council in that behalf (and then only in the months of May, June, and July), under a penalty of £10, or, in default, a period of not exceeding one month's imprisonment. No person may hunt, shoot, or kill any kind of game on a Sunday, nor shall poison nor trap the same. No person shall take, kill, or pursue, or aid in pursu- 1 ing, or use any dogs for that purpose, until he shall have taken out a license for the same ; in default, he would be liable to a penalty of £20, or four months' imprisonment. No person can sell game without a license. Any person destroying the eggs of game birds is liable to a penalty of £5. • If any one in pursuit of game should trespass, he is liable to a penalty of £20 ; and the fact of his being found trespassing with gun and dog will be deemed to be in pursuit of game. Anyone who, before the 10th October, 1870, shall sell any dead hen pheasant, shall, on conviction, be liable to be fined £20. No person under the age of fifteen shall be liable to imprisonment, but may, in default of payment, be privately whipped by order of the Magistrate. The license to sell game is £5. The "Protection of Native Animals Act Amendment Act, 1868," has reference to native game, and provides that the native animals named above shall not be lulled in any part of the Colony, except daring such months as the Governor shall from time to time proclaim.