ANNUAL REPORT.

Forest and Bird, Issue 21, 1 July 1930, Page 2

ANNUAL REPORT.

E. V. SANDERSON, Hon. Secretary.

The Society has in the past twelve months continued to pro - gress in a very satisfactory manner as heretofore and actively pushed innumerable matters in the interests of our birds and forests. Amongst these may be mentioned the kea question, and our efforts, assisted by other organisations, resulted in the bounty being reduced from 5/- to 2/6. It was emphasised that any harm these birds do should be controlled at the expense Of the landowner, many of whom hold large areas at peppercorn rentals, and not at the expense of the taxpayer. More money per annum was being spent on the destruction of these birds, many of which had never seen a sheep in their lives, than was being spent in checking that major menace to the homes of our forest inhabiting birds, to wit, plant-eating animals in our forests. The Society has also been exceedingly active in this latter major menace, and the Conference held on the 7th May last in Christchurch was the culminating point for the time being of our efforts. It is pleasing to note that the public have at last been awakened to the gravity of this menace to our national prosperity, and that active steps are proposed to combat the evil if possible. Our Society can be relied upon to inform the public if any relaxation occurs in the present good intentions. * A branch of the Society has been formed in Otago with headquarters in Dunedin, and it is felt that their endeavours will materially assist the efforts of the Society as a whole in our great national work as many members in this district have shown great activity and given invaluable assistance in the past year. A branch will also be formed in Southland, with headquarters at Invercargill, in a few days. Mr. J. B. Thomson, one of our energetic vice-presidents, is active in this matter. Our financial side shows a credit of £416 18s. 4d. on the 31st December last, but all this and more will be absorbed by expenses in producing bird charts for our schools, posters in reference to the animals in our forests question, etc. The finding of an artist capable of producing paintings accurate in ornithological detail has proved an obstacle to progress in reference to the bird charts, but your Executive think that this has now been overcome. The demise of our late President, the Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, has been very unfortunate. It was at his suggestion in 1922 that this Society was formed, and during all his lifetime,

including the time when he lay on his death bed, his great activity and zeal in the interests of our native birds has been marked. Your Executive consider that our Society should head an effort to suitably commemorate his love for our birds and his lifelong efforts on their behalf. A recommendation to this effect is made to the incoming Council. Amongst other foremost helpers, the deaths of Sir George Fenwick, A. T. Clarke, Esq., and others have to be regretfully recorded. The outgoing Council further recommends that as new branches are being formed the rules of the Society be so revised as to permit all members throughout New Zealand voting for the election of officers, instead of as in the past only those resident in the Capital City. We have to acknowledge the hearty assistance given to this movement to save our unique birds and plant life from total destruction by the Department of Education, Postal and Telegraph Department, Forest Service, and indeed all Government departments. The importance of wild life matters was not realised in earlier times and their control was allowed to drift largely into the hands of sportsmen, and the care of various matters therewith was entrusted to many different departments. The straightening out of this tangle must necessarily be accompanied by some friction and departmental jealousies, but we are pleased to be able to state , that the Hon. Minister of that Department which controls sport has shown a desire to find a solution of the many difficulties, ant it is believed that he will act in a statesmanlike manner and finally be prepared to insist that the matter be handled nationally, even though his Department should be one of those which has to relinquish a share of the voice in the control of wild life matters. Your Executive whole-heartedly acknowledges the co-opera-tion and assistance of many kindred organisations, too numerous to mention, who have rendered invaluable aid in imbuing that regard for our birds and forest, now becoming so marked, and without which all laws are of little avail. His Excellency the Governor-General, who is intensely interested in the saving of a sufficiency of birds and forests the world over, has graciously accepted the office of Patron to our Society, and we feel that His Excellency’s action will materially assist the efforts of those, now constituting a majority, who desire to save our wonderful flora and fauna.

Dunedin, 15th May, 1930.