AIR TRAINING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1938, Page 8

AIR TRAINING

OPPOSITION TO INVASION OF BIRD SANCTUARY FEARS FOR YOUNG DUCKS AND SWANS CONTENTIONS OF OFFICERS RIDICULED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, This Day. The controversy that has arisen regarding the use of Lake Grassmere, which is a bird sanctuary, as a bombing practice ground during the fortnight’s camp of the Wellington territorial squadron of the New. Zealand Royal Air Force, reached a further phase this morning, when representatives of the Marlborough Acclimatisation Society, which protested to the Internal Affairs Department against the violation of the sanctuary, replied to a claim by Air Force officers at Wellington that the bombing would have no ill effect. The explanation that, with stannic bombs being used, the birds “wouldn’t bat an eyelid,” was received with incredulity. An inspection by the society’s chief ranger discloses that the lake is carrying a large number of young swans and ducks which are unable to fly. The opinion is held that the bombing will frighten the old birds away, leaving the young to starve. Local observations of the conduct of ducks and swans on the routes of regular air services prove that the contentions that the birds remain unaffected by aerial activity is ridiculous. In any case, there is ample scope for the training operations without utilising .the sanctuary.