ACCLIMATISATION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 18 September 1930, Page 9

ACCLIMATISATION.

NORTH CANTERBURY SOCIETY. The Council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society met last night, Mr C. H. Lawrence presiding. The Garden Committee reported that to date 330,700 fry had been liberated in the various rivers and streams of the district. Bangers' Committee. The Rangers' Committee reported that it had decided to write to the Ashburton, South Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland Societies and ask them if they would raise any objection for a head ranger to be appointed throughout the Dominion in case of their rangers overlapping. The report was agreed to. Selwyn Committee.' The Selwyn Committee reported that during the winter the Lower Selwyn had been very high owing to the high level of the lake. Great runs of trout i '.me into the river during June. Thousands of beautiful fish were seen at the traps, the fish averaging about 4Jlb. The season was a record one for quality and quantity of ova obtained. Large shoals of herring came into the lake during June and July, and great numbers died during the July frosts. Owing to Lake Ellesmere being let out the river dropped several feet this month. On the 13th inst. there was a fairsized flood and at present the river was high and muddy. Previous to the flood trout could be seen rising in most parts of the river, and present conditions are for good fishing this coming season. The report was adopted. Deer Committee. The Deer Committee reported that Mr K. Murchison had been elected chairman. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote that the royalty on deer shot by stalkers during the past season could not be allowed. It was decided to ask the Minister for Internal Affairs to declare a close season for deer in the Eakaia forest from March Ist, to April 30th, 1931. It was decided to communicate with Mr Turnbull, of Mount White, and the manager of High Peaks Station, regarding the culling work to be carried out by Mr W. J. Burrows; also to communicate with Messrs Murchison and Gerard regarding the supply of ammunition for the destruction of deer. The report was adopted. Lakes Committee. The Lakes Committee recommended that the following liberations be carried out: —Lakes Pearson and Lyndon, 30,000 each; Lakes Letitia and Georgina 10,000 each; Lakes Grasmere, Sarah, and Meremere, 5000 each. It was recommended that the lagoon at the northern end of Lake Lyndon be closed, at an estimated cost of £7 10s. The recommendation was based on the fact that during the past two years there was a very serious loss of fish, when the lagoon dried up. It was recommended that the regulations be amended to permit the.use of boats on Lake Lyndon. The report, with the exception of the last recommendation, which was de--1 loted, was agreed to. Collection of Swan Eggs. A report from a joint meeting of the executive and the Swan Egg Committee set out that it was resolved to instruct Mr Freeman to start collecting eggs and to carry on till the meeting of the Council, when the matter of collecting ■would be discussed. After discussion, it was left to the discretion of the committee to decide how long the collection of egga should continue. Curator's Report. The Curator (Mr D. Hope) reported that the following brown fry had been liberated from the Society's own ova:—Heathcote, 25,000; Main drain, and Halswell, each 20,000; Waimakariri, 17,000 and 40,000; North branch, 8000; Avon, 25,000; Ashley, 40,000; Waipara 15,000; Weka creek, 1700; Omihi, 3000; Taranaki creek, 3500; Saltwater creek, 5000; Little Eakaia, 50,000; Cust, 5000; Okuku, 2500; Eakaia, 50,000; total 330,700. For liberation there were now available 100,000 rainbow fry, and to relieve overcrowding it was advisable to liberate them as early as possible. The report was adopted. It was decided to make the customary vote of £2 2s to the Progress League. , j