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8

A more pressing matter is the removal or the destruction of sheep. Some of them are the property of Native owners who use the native land at the north end of the island for grazing purposes, but most of them are the offspring of animals that ran wild many years ago. Ample time and opportunity have been given for the removal of all privately owned stock, and more vigorous measures for ridding the sanctuary of their presence will now be adopted. Opossums have been greatly reduced in numbers. During the year 2,292 were taken, and the tally for the coming season is expected to fall much below this. Only two cats were seen, and both were destroyed. As a safe retreat for our native birds the sanctuary is fulfilling its purpose satisfactorily. Species now rarely seen on the mainland are present in fair numbers, and the native wood-pigeon certainly shows a marked increase. The advisory Board is considering the introduction of species not now represented on the island, and this matter will be followed up during the coming year. Thos. Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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