ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxix, Issue 7540, 16 July 1908, Page 1

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES' CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON, July 15

The annual conference of Acclimatisation Societies opened to-day. The chairman (Mr Trip])), in the course of his opening remarks, suggested that the whole of Kapiti Island should be acquired for a bird sanctuary. He considered that more scenic reserves should be set aside as bird sanctuaries, and dwelt'- on the unsportsmanlike conduct of those Who slaughtered ducks wholesale. It was the duty of the societies, not only to find birds to shoot, but to preserve birds for those who should come after.

At the Acclimatisation Societies' Conference the following officers v> rare elected: I'President, Mr'L. Tripp; vicepresident, Mr C. A: Fitzroy; treasurer, Mr,L. G. Reid ;. secretary, Mr V. yon Stiernier; council—Messrs K. W.. Peyton and F. Earl (Auckland), J. A. Jones (Stratford), W. Symes (Taranaki), E. N. Leffetbn (Wanganui), A. F. Lowe (Wellington), W. Pollard "(Marl-borough), Dr. Moorehouse (Canterbury),. R. Chisholm and R. Forrest (Otago), John jßiitherford (South Canterbury), and -Hv-"-Feldwick ('Southland).. , : . A motion that thauGoveninient should be asked for financial assistance, in view of the loss that would be suffered by the societies if a close season were [-enforced every three years, was lost 1 The growing importance of New Zealand as a deer country was emphasised in a remit, brought before the Acclimatisation Society to-day, by Mr Cox, a delegate from Ashburton. He urged that a recommendation should be made to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, that a clause should be inserted in all future leases of . - hill*- country runs, where deer are, giving the right of enti'iy.to such lands to duly licensed deerstalkers. Deer had become so plentiful now, that every opportunity should be given to sportsmen of freely indulging in deer shooting,' and some owners objected to the presence of deerstalkers on their places. A warm discussion ensued, and the President (Mr L.' O. H. Tripp) declared that the proposal was a "most serious one. If ib were embodied in a measure of law, people would take good care that the deer were killed on their estates. Certain districts had been distinctly set apart for deer, and from these the Government derive a considerable revenue. It would be far too much to ask for the insertion of such a clause in every lease, giving everyone a right to go on private grounds. He remembered a comment made in regard to fishing. "If that is the case," said the owner of the banks, "there will be no fish in my stream."'After further comment the motion was lost by: a con- j siclerable majority.