ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18187, 25 September 1924, Page 7

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

v « LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. A meeting of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held last night, Mr E. F. Stead presiding over a Jarge attendance of members. A letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs notifying that white swan eggs had been protected in. the North Canterbury district. The Department also forwarded information regarding taxidermists and the import and export of skins, feathers, or eggs of buds. Regarding tho former, the letter stated that the work of registering and obtaining the names of taxidermists in the district did not require to be undertaken by the Society's secretary. The onus was on the person engaged in the business to apply to the uepartmeiit for a license. In respect of the other matter, the letter Gtated that the Department considered the section applied only to siuns, feathers, and eggs imported in their natural state, but not as imported in a manufactured state or made up into articles of personal, uoniestic, household, or ornamental use. It was decided to refer the matter back to the sub-committee which had caused tho letter to be sent. Tho Department of Agriculture advised that it could not comply with the request that the protection of stoats and weasels should be removed.' The Canterbury Progress League wrote regarding the agitation undertaken to induce the Government to go ahead as soon as possible with the duplication and electrification of the Lyttelton tunnel. It was suggested that tho Society should make representations to tho Government on the subject. It was decided to refer the letter to the Society's delegate on the League. Mr 11. C. Ridley, a hut-holder at Ellesniere bridge, wrote asking the Council's assistance in having the willows on the Ellesmere river cut back. It was decided that the Society could not comply 'with the request. If it did so, it ivu .pointed out, similar requests would be received from all parts of tho district. The secretary of the Wnitaki Acclimatisation Society forwarded copies of correspondence between it and the Minister of Internal Affairs with reference to removing the protection on red deer in certain areas near the deer forest. Tho Society did not consider the number of deer in the area warranted the removal of protection, and also contended that the removal in areas far removed .from close settlement would not have the effect of lessening the numbers. and. had protested to the Minister asking him to receive a deputation. The assistance -of the North Canterburv Society was sought in the matter, though it wag pointed out that the subject concerned chiefly the Waitaki Society. It was decided to refer the letter to the Deer Committee. The Ellesmere Gun Club wrote thanking the Society for the gift of a stuffed pheasant and Mr E. F. Stead for providing a case for it. The Waimarino Society wrote asking the cupport of a remit advocating that the penalty for polluting streams be wised. Mr Godby reported that the matter referred to in the letter had received the support of the Canterbury delegates at the conference, and a remit in favour of it had -been carried. Tho secretary of the Hokianga Bod *vnd Gun Club wrote advising that two boxes of brown trout ova, which had been sent from Canterbury, had airived m bad condition and were useless. The letter also stated that the club woidd like to make arrangements with the Tourist Department for the transport of further supplies of ova ordered. The letter was received, and it was decided to pay half the cost of the useless ova. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote stating it was necessary to obtain the.consent of the Minister for the liberation of any imported mammal or birds. Mr M. H. Godby reported on the recent annual conference of acclimatisation societies, and stated that the majority, of the remits sent forward by the Canterbury Society had been passed. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman and Mr Godby for thoir work at the conference. Mr F. Moorhouse reported that a number of wild geese, which had been nesting for some years on Toi Island, in Lake Ellesmere, were increasing. However, some persons were taking the eggs, and he thought that such a course should be stopped, because in time to come the birds woulu provide excellent (.porting game. The chairman stated that the Society could do nothing in tie matter unless-the gpeso

■were rested in the , Society. He believed' that they wero nesting on private property, and if the owner of the property agreed to the birds being vested, the Society could do something. It was decided to approach the owner of the land requestinpr that persons be prohibited from trespassing on the property. Mr D. Hope, Curator, reported that work at the Gardens during the month had consisted of digging, attending- to hatcheries, etc., and the liberation of fry. Approximately 80,000 rainbow fry wero available. Mr C. Ayson had supplied 1000 Atlantio salmon eges, which had now hatched out. The secretary reported that at a. recent meeting of the Hatcheries Committee it had Wn decided to allocate 56,000 rainbow fry. The remainrlpr were still to bn disposed of. It was decided to write Messrs R. A. Tiunbull, Arnberlev, and W. K. McAlpjne, Crfliciebiiro, regarding liberation of the remaining fry in the five lakes in their districts. If was resolved to liberate- 1500 yearling rairibow fry in the Lower Selwyn river.!