THE GAME LAWS OF THE COLONY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 271, 10 April 1873, Page 6

THE GAME LAWS OF THE COLONY.

(" Wanganui Herald")

The law of the Colony has gone a long way in the protection of such native and imported game as we already possess, and is most necessary in securing successful results to acclimatising efforts. It must be noticed that there is the widest possible difference between the restrictions imposed by the enactments of the Colony on the subject, and the aristocratic laws of England. T lere is as yet no tendency amongst us to preserve game at the expense of cultivation or settlement ; we have no extreme penalties imposed to preserve one of the luxuries of a proud nobility ; and we are a long way from valuing [birds and animals higher than human beings. Yet all these charges can be justly laid at England's door, and constitute one of the greatest blots on her escutcheon. The preservation of game in the Colony is equivalent to the maintaining of any other source of wealth or luxury, and has its aesthetic recommendations which are often dwelt upon when New Zealand is talked of as " the garden of the Pacific." There are few who really know what our game laws are, and as we hope soon to see them brought into practical application in this district we propose to give a summary of the different acts which have been passed by the legislature on the subject.

The Act of 1867 consolidated certain ac'.s for the preservation of game, and in the foundation of existing legislation for what it entitles " the Protection of Animals." Since then two amended acts have passed — one in 1868 and one in 18^2. Acclimatisation Societies are recognised by the depositing of their rules, signed by the Chairman and countersigned by three of the members, the property of animals under the control of a Society, is vested in the chairman. In case of any animals being turned out it is to be notified by advertisement, and the Governor may proclaim the property of every such animal vested in the chairman. In case of any animals being turned out it is notified by advertisement, and the Governor may proclaim the property of every such animal vested in the chairman. The following are taken as imported game under the Act : Pheasants, partridges, grouse, black game, quails, snipe, plover, swan, hares, antelopes, deer, imported wild duck of any species. Native game is included in tho following list : Wild duck of any species, bittern, pied stilt plover, wild geese, wood pigeon, teal, black stilt plover, curlew, quail. In addition to these, any animal or bird may be brought under the Act by the proclamation of the Governor, and by the same power any animal or bird may cease to be deemed game. The time allowed for shooting imported game is in the months of May and June. The time for shooting native game, as defined by proclamation, is in the months of April, May, and June. No imported bird, not being game, can be shot, taken, or destroyed unless a proclamation has been issued permitting it, under a penalty of ten pounds, or in default, imprisonment not exceeding a month. Governor may declare in what part or parts of the Oolony game shall not be hunted or killed. "No game shall be poisoned, trapped, or taken by means of traps, nets, springs, or by any other means than hunting or shooting at any time whatever, nor shall any trap, net or snare be made, erected or set either wholly or in part for the purpose of suoh trapping or taking except by persons duly authorised." Game is not to be taken or killed without a license, under a penalcy of £20, except on land of which the person is in bona fide occupation. The license fee is fifty shillings. To sell game a license is necessary the fee being £5, • • Any person who shall take or wilfully destroy the eggs of any game birds shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds," Every peraon \n

pursuit of game shall produce his license when required, to magistrates, constables, rangers, or another holder of a license. Rangers may be appointed in a district. One half the penalty shall be paid |to any party procuring a conviction. All "fees, fines, and penalties," after defraying the expenses of Rangers, &c, shall be handed to the Treasurer of the Acclimatisation Society in the District. Boy 3 under 15 years of age infringing the law may be whipped. The provision relating to hen pheasants is stringent. c * Every person who shall Bell, offer for sale, or expose for sale, and every holder of a license to sell game, who shall in any manner dispose of any dead pheasant, or any dead tui, shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay for every such act a sum not exceeding twenty pounds ; and if such person hold a license to kill or sell game, such, license shall, on conviction, become ipso facto void.