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(2) Wallabies Advantage was taken of an opportunity created by wallaby-control operations in the Hunters' Hills, South Canterbury, to acquire data and materials for fundamental research. These included standard measurements, stomach contents, parasites, blood smears, and vegetation samples. Further work will be undertaken. (3) Opossums The initial phase of the investigation, which was commenced last year, has been completed. Valuable assistance was rendered by the Dominion Laboratory and the Botany Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Work on the second phase, which is on a wider basis, is now proceeding. Methods of control by hunting, without loss of either birds or farm stock, have been elaborated experimentally, and successfully applied in the Poverty Bay district, where a series of well-attended demonstrations was conducted for the benefit of trappers, farmers, and Catchment Board officials. Work on methods of assessment of relative population densities has proceeded sufficiently to permit of the undertaking of a New-Zealand-wide field survey, which is now in progress. The draft of a bulletin on the opossum, written in simple terms and covering briefly the life-history and habits of the animal and, more fully, methods of control, is now near to completion. Large-scale trapping, and preparation and disposal of skins, is explained for the commercial trapper, and special consideration is given to the needs of the farmer, orchardist, and householder. General bionomic research, together with further investigation into control methods, are continuing. (4) Californian Quail Research into the distribution and ecology of quail was initiated by systematic interviewing of property-holders and rabbiters in the Otago lakes district. (5) Canadian Geese With a view to bringing about a fuller exploitation of the sport value, and at the same time ensuring essential control of this species, inquiries were made in Canada as to hunting methods, and trial shoots were conducted. Publicity was given to results through a popular sporting publication. (6) Keas Several problems relating to these birds were brought to the notice of the Branch. Field surveys on their incidence were conducted in the Arthur's Pass and Lake Wakatipu regions and plans made for further investigations. (7) Fisheries (Rotorua and Southern Lakes Acclimatization Districts) The research and advisory services made available to the Department by the Fisheries Branch of the Marine Department were utilized to considerable advantage.

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