_The Evening Post_, 31 August 1923:
LOCAL AND GENERAL
…
By an Order-in-Council, dated the 20th inst.,
#stoats and
#weasels were declared to be natural enemies of the rabbit, and giving them general protection. By a notification in last evening’s “Gazette” it is announced that in districts which are free from rabbits, consideration will be given to the granting of an exemption from the general protection of stoats and weasels upon a petition in that behalf made by anl [sic] local authority or acclimatisation society. Inspectors of stock are also authorised to issue permits for the destruction of stoats and weasels in respect to island sanctuaries, acclimatisation game-rearing farms, and poultry farms where it is established that damage is being done on such farms by these animals.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19230831.2.48#OnThisDay #OTD #PapersPast #Pests #ProtectedSpecies #NewZealand