MEETING OF SPORTSMEN.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15931, 19 June 1917, Page 4

MEETING OF SPORTSMEN.

PROPOSAL TO HOLD ANOTHER SWAN DRIVE. A meeting of sportsmen, convened by Mr A. T. Robertson, was held at Leeston on Saturday night to consider whether application should bo made to tho Minister for Internal Affairs, through tho North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, for permission tp hold a swan drive, on the lines of the ono held last year, for patriotic, purposes, i There was a moderate attendance, and Mr Robertson was voted to the chair. In reply to a question, the chairman said that all accounts in connexion with the. last drive had been paid, and that, there was a balance in hand of about £3. On the motion of Mr F. Gulliver, seconded by Mr J. C. Mercer, it was decided to apply for permission to hold a swan shoot on Saturday, the. .'loth inst., it. being considered that the moon would bo suitable for that date. It was further agreed that in tho event of permission not being obtained in time to hold tho shoot on £he 30th inst., July 28th should be suggested as a suitable date.

In reply to the chairman, Mr W. Quigky S3 id that last year's driye and the collection of swan oggs had not appreciably diminished the. number oF swans on the lake. There appeared to be as many birds a s ever. " Although this was an open season for native gamevery few people troubled about swan shooting. Tt Avas decided to make inquiries with a view lo holding a- hare drive along the beach, and another above Dunsandel.

I . agreed to hold the next uieetI jng on the 28th inst., Mr HaUidav and the chairman undertaking to get into touch with the residents of the ftaituna side of the lake in the meantime, and to make arrangements for the proposed outing. The chairman nlnred before the meeting a petition addressed to the Minister of Jntc-rna] Affairs, sent out from Christehureh for signature, urging upon tlio Minister the. desirabilitv of amending the Animals' Protection .j. • ln ®erting therein a clause providing for an annual license Wee of'lOs , f taor billing native* game. Mr Qmgley pointed out (hat, the question of a gun license had been discussed at a large meeting of sportsmen. JicJrl at Leeston last year, at which members of the Acclimatisation Sor-ietv were present and the propria! had hern turned down.

_ Xo action was taken with regard to tnn petition.