LEGISLATION 547 



fifteen years of the coming in of the birds, their numbers increased 

 to such an extent, that the protection afforded them had to be taken 

 away, and restrictive legislation imposed. In 1882 a "Small Birds 

 Nuisance Act" was passed, "to authorize Local Governing Bodies 

 to appropriate Funds and to levy Rates for the destruction of Sparrows 

 or other birds injurious to crops." This Act was repealed in 1889, 

 and replaced by a new Act (which was itself repealed and re-enacted 

 in 1902), giving increased powers for the use of poisoned grain and 

 other means of destruction. Finally in 1908 "The Injurious Birds 

 Act" was passed, and under the provisions of this, wholesale destruc- 

 tion of birds and eggs is carried on every year, without, however, 

 doing more than just keeping the danger within limits. 



It will be seen from the history of the introduction of rabbits 

 into New Zealand that it was not till about 1870 that these animals 

 began to be abundant, but after that date their increase was so very 

 great that they seriously affected the great pastoral industry of the 

 country, and in some districts threatened to destroy it. Protection 

 against them has led to the passing of much legislation, and of many 

 regulations. This commenced in 1876 in the General Assembly, when 

 the " Rabbit Nuisance Act " was passed. By this Act power was given 

 to proclaim certain areas as districts in which the Act was to be en- 

 forced ; trustees were to be elected annually, and were to have power 

 to levy rates on the landowners not exceeding one halfpenny per acre. 

 The occupiers or owners of affected lands were also to be called on 

 to destroy all rabbits. In the following year an Amending Act was 

 passed, and a bonus of one halfpenny per skin was to be offered for 

 rabbit-skins. Any one introducing rabbits into any district without 

 authority, rendered himself liable to be imprisoned for a period not 

 exceeding six months, or to a fine up to fifty pounds. These Acts 

 were repealed in 1880, and another was passed giving increased 

 powers. Among other provisions was one giving the Trustees, in 

 the event of any owner failing to control the pest, power to enter 

 private lands and destroy the rabbits. Any owners failing to take 

 efficient steps rendered themselves liable to a penalty of not less than 

 one pound nor more than twenty pounds for each seven days of 

 neglect. The sheep inspectors were also appointed rabbit inspectors. 

 In 1881 the Act of the previous year was repealed, and another 

 enacted. By this time ferrets, stoats and weasels had been introduced 

 into the country, and they had to be protected. By Section 25 the 

 Government had power to declare "any animals, the importation 

 of which is not prohibited by any Act in force relating to the protec- 

 tion of animals, to be natural enemies of the rabbit," and such animals 

 were to be protected. By Section 26, "Any person who shall be 



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