NEW ZEALAND FAUNA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3985, 16 July 1913, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND FAUNA.

THE IMPORTANT TUATARA

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEC-EAMI WELLINGTON. Julv ]'

The threatened extinction of New Zealand fauna was the subject of a deputation from the Wellington Zoological Society to the Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. H. D. Belht-,--day. Rev. J. Crewes said the was deeply interested in the vation of the fauna of New £Bmd. The tuatara was a most inteiwting and important reptile, and it wa's recently estimated that there were oulv one thousand of them left. They were now found only on one or two islands —none existed on the mainland. The Society was also anxious to see such birds as the great spotted kiwi preserved from the ravages cf tiie stoat and weasel. The Minister stated that it was. no doubt, necessary for the matter to be impressed upon the minds of the people. Regarding the tuatara, the Government had increased the.uenalty the destruction of the reptiles and was in receipt of reports from various lighthouse-keepers. They were considering the advisability of having a number of tuataras brought to Wellingson and kept under proper conditions to see if they would increase. The Government was fully a are of the necessity of preserving, a- far as possible, such birds at the huia. kakapo, and paradise duck. As to native pigeons, the Government was determined to preserve them, hut it was a difficult matter to persuade the Maoris not to shoot them. The matter was receiving the earnest attention of the Government.