46 THE SOCIETY FOE THE PRESEEVATION OF 



RESERVATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND. 



' Huiakama, Stratford, N.Z. : 



July 8, 1906. 

 ' Rhys Williams, Esq., 



Dear Sir, — It will afford me singular pleasure to collect some 

 data with reference to preservation, acclimatisation, &c., to for- 

 ward in due course. Meanwhile it may be broadly stated that 

 Little Barrier Island in the north, and Resolution Island in the 

 south, have been devoted by Government to the exclusive purpose 

 of preserving such of our avifauna as are suited to the respective 

 conditions, under responsible custodians to ensure absolute sanctity 

 from intrusion. 



' A number of the chief mountains are reserved — each with a 

 liberal radius — as " national parks," some being also sanctuaries 

 for native and acclimatised game and other birds and animals. A 

 large number of birds are gazetted as permanently protected. 



' The destruction of forests inevitably entailed in the rapid 

 development of settlement is causing an alarming decrease of 

 edible native birds, though the finest of them — our beautiful wood- 

 pigeon — nominally enjoys statutory immunity everywhere every 

 third year. A factor of the highest importance consists in the 

 annual session of delegates chosen from the ' ' Association of Accli- 

 matisation Societies." 



' It is needless to indicate the difficulties which universally beset 

 all attempts at curtailment of slaughter. We are face to face with 

 every one of them in this ultra-democratic community. Only a 

 few years ago the late Prime Minister roundly threatened to tear 

 the last vestige of a game law from our statutes in response to an 

 ad hominem appeal in the interest of a fined delinquent ! 



' However, most fortunately for our cause, the economic aspect 

 of it, as intimately affecting the success of the " Tourist Depart- 

 ment," appealed to the Government, and much improvement is 

 visible, with more impending, we fervently hope. 



* H. J. MUSSEN.' 



