THE ACCLIMATISATION QUESTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1355, 30 September 1886, Page 2

THE ACCLIMATISATION QUESTION

CHRiS»cHtJKCH, September 29 At a meeting of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society letters from Messrs W. C. Walker, A,. H Shnry, and others were read relative to the formation of the Ashburton Society, and the desire of Ashburton anglers to have the fishing season opened on October 1 The followiog resolution was passed, on the motion of Mr Spaokman, seconded by Mr F. J Kimbell—“ That this Society disapproves of the action of certain gentlemen at Ashburton in attempting to establish another Society within the boundaries of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation District without consulting the parent Society, and that no steps be taken at present by this Society to assist the action which has been taken in the Ashburton district.”

The following report of the decussion which arose on the matter is given by the Times :—The Chairman referred to the interview with the Premier in reference to the Ashburton Society after last meeting. Sir B. Stoat had said he wo aid see that proper arrangements were made ; be did not know much about the matter. He (Chairman) had ascertained that the Ashburton Society has been registered, bat without boundaries, and so they bad no power to issm licenses. The Secretary read correpondenca which had passed between this and the Ashburton Society in reference to the matte ■ of the control of the Lake Heron fishing. On September 17, Mr A .1. Shiry had requested that an emergency meeting of the Canterbury Society might be called the following day, to receive a deputation of the Ashburton Society. Tula meeting had not been called, as the notice was too short It appeared that the Ashburton Society had wished the fishing season to commence on October 1. Mr W. 0. Walker, President of the Ashburton Society, and its Comm ttee, wrote, nnder date September 20, again requesting a special meeting to be called to consider whether this could be done. They disclaimed any idea of appropriating the f.es obtained from the issue of licenses at Ashburton. To this Mr Peacock had directed a reply to be seat to the effect that ib this Society had recommended to Geyernmeat Oc.ober 16 as the date for the opening of the fishing season, the d'scu's'on could not be re-opanei. The members generally endorsed the Chairman’s action. Another letter from Mr Walker regretted that the meeting had not been called as requested He added. “It is quite as much proof as wa required to show conclusively how difficult it is for your Society In Christchurch to deal with, any sim 1 ir representations from Ashburton, and how neces ay in oir in'ereat* Is that oar Society should have a diat-ict of its own uncontrolled by a Society with totally distinct interests.” Th>a was the last comma licatioa oa the subject. Mr J. O. Boys said he considered the action of those gentlemen at Ashburton to be little better than a swindle, in view of the fact that the parent Society had spent s> much money to acclimatise fish, &0., In that district. He moved—“ That the Ashburton people be allowed to form themselves into a society provided they agree to pay £2OO towards the parent Society as a share of the expenses.” My Spackman seconded the motion pro forma, and proposed, as an amendment-- “ Th»t this Society disapproves of the action of cor'aln gentlem n at Ashburton in attempting to establish another S ciety within the boundaries of the North Canterbury acclimatisation d'strict, without consulting wth the parent Society, and that no steps ba taken at present by this Society to aSsiat the action which has been taken in the Ashburton district. ” He considered that had the Ashburton people approached the Society in a proper way with a view tr. assist in the payment of the expenses incurred in promoting acclimatisation in the Ashburton district, this Society would have met them in a friendly spirit. £ut they had formed a Soc ety without the knowledge of this Society, and had taken action to endeavour t > obtain revenue for themselves which should belong to tbis Society. Mr F. J. Kimbell seconded the amendment.

Dr Frankiah laid he would prefer to Mr Boy’s motion a resolution to the effect that the Ashburton Society be allowed to issue licenses on payment of the expenses incurred in introducing trout, e'o , into their district.

Mr Boys, on being urged by several members, asked leave to withdraw bis motion.

Leave was given, and the motion was withdrawn.

Mr Spackman’s amendment was then put as a substantive motion, and carried unanimously.