ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18303, 10 February 1925, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

SOUTH CANTERBURY. / ' : —" * The monthly meeting of the South Cantorbury Acclimatisation Society was held at Temuka on Saturday afternoon. Present— Jlessrß L. B. James (president),' E. A. Hamilton, C. S. Young, J. McDonald, L. Stony, W. Grant, F. Adams, T. R. MacKay, E. McDonald, W. E. Boys, and J. Hardcastle. ; The president 'Welcomed Mr E. McDonald, who had been on a trip to the Old Country, back to Ilia seat, on the executive. It was- with • regret,"ne "sard','"that thiey~had : accepted Mr Hardcastle's resignation, for he had been a useful member, and one who had done a great deal for the Society.

Mr J. McDonald was elected "to the vacancy, and Mr Hardcastle was appointed as, supernumerary member^ The Department of Internal' Affairs wrote asking whether-the Society desired" an open season for the taking, of,opossums this year, and, if so, on what date£ the season would open and cjpse. I| was agreed that the mat. ter be held over tiH next meeting, pending enquiries to bo' made from • the Minister of Internal Affairs. ' A letter was received from the Marine Department in reference to. the taking of salmon for sale. A copy of the regulations stated that'netting of salmon would bo permitted until May 15th within a radius of 500 yards outside the mouth of any river. Another clause stated that salmon could bo taken by nets or by rod and line. It was also proposed that, separate licenses be imposed for nets and' for rod and line. The president said that ■ the letter was the outcome of a conference with tho Minister of Marine. Ho considered the four-inch mesh proposed for nets in the regulations to bo too small—nothing leas than six-inch mesh should be used. rrf That was one of the clansee the Society should object to. At the conference tho Minister promised that no extra license fee would be charged for tho taking of salmon by rod and line. . The Waimate Society was objecting to the clauses dealing with the taking of salmon by rod and line, and the size of the mesh. It was decided that the Society should object to the use of a four-inch mesh, and to the issuing of separate licenses for the talcing of salmon. Mr J.' McDonald, Timaru, made application for a hut site at tho mouth of the Tiangitata, which was granted. Tho North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society wrote offering two Canadian geese, It was decided that the offer be held over in the meantime, as two white geese and two swans were wanted for the Timaru Park and the Temuka Rescrvo respectively. The Native Lands Department wrote m connexion with tho Society s leaeo of the Opihi Reserve. It was decided to continue under the present conditions. Mr A. Smitli, Papakura, wrote advising the arrival of 150 pheasant eggs. It was resolved that the resolution under tho date April 14th, 1923, "Thtt in future no commission bo allowed on tho saJc of licenses," be rescinded. The proposal wna carried, by five votes to four. The treasurer stated that since last meetinf £5 had been received from licenses and rents. The expenditure totalled £lO7 17a 3d leaving a bank balance of £74 173 lid.