ACCLIMATISATION.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20498, 17 March 1932, Page 9

ACCLIMATISATION.

NORTH CANTERBURY SOCIETY. The Council of the North CanterburyAcclimatisation Society met last night. In the absence of the president, Mr C. H, Lawrence, Mr G. T. Robertson was voted to the chair. It was decided to rescind the following clause in the Game Committee's report of February 17th:— "That the person, or persons on "whose property any game birds are liberated, give an undertaking to the Society that when the season for the birds is opened, permission be given to any legitimate shooter to enter upon the property, provided an authority has been received from the secretary's office." No Black Swan 3 on the Avon. Mr L. J. D. Weir moved the rescinding of the resolution that up to 20 pairs of black swans should bo placed on the river Avon from Mr George Gould's property at Fendalton, downstream, and that a pair of white swans be placed on the river above the mill dam. He said that the motion was the outcome of a letter from Mr Edgar F. Stead, which appeared in The Pkesh pointing out the damage that would be done by the swans to grey duck and teal. lie felt sure that none of them would like to see the disappearance of the ducks. There was a short discussion. The chairman said that Mr Stead's letter had been read and appreciated by a lot of disinterested people who thought that it was quite reasonable. The motion was agreed to. Tenders Accepted. It was reported that the tender of C, G. Woods, at £29 6s 4d, for laying water supply to the 'bird pens and tliu curator's house, had been accepted; and his tender of £3 10s had been accepted for tapping the C-inch well and connecting gate valve. The Para Company's quotation of £4 10s for three 60ft lengths of hose, including clips and connexions, had been accepted. Protection of Deer. The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs wrote quoting the following resolution of the executive of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society:—"ln view of the final results likely to accrue to the welfare of the Dominion, this Council views with alarm the action of the Department of Internal Affairs in continue ing the protection of deer by sanctioning closed seasons, and absolutely protecting certain species all tho year, and suggests that all protection be removed." The secretary of the Society, in advising the Department, had set out that "a great wrong to New Zealand is being done with reference to this matter for the pleasure of a very few, in restricting red deer shooting to deer license-holders in tho rutting season when they are easiest to kill." As the North Canterbury Society had been granted a stalking season under license in part of its district, the views of the Society were desired. The letter was referred to the Deer Committee. Canadian Geese. The Department of .Internal Affairs forwarded, copies of warrants issued to Messrs A. Mcßean, Springston So'uth, S. Bennett, Greenpark, H. Nutt, I?aituna, J. 0. Coop, Kaituna, 11. A. Birdling, Birdling'B Flat, and I. L. M. Coop, Ataaliua, to take or kill Canadian geeso damaging their property. Mr Alan Mcßean wrote thanking the Society for the help Hanger Digby had given.him in assisting to prevent Canadian geese from damaging his property. The position at present was not satisfactory-, but had it not been for Ranger Digby's assistance things would have been much worse. Hp also thanked Messrs Shand and Boon, members of tho Council, for 'going out at dawn to see for themselves the damage done by the geese. Disposal of Chukor. Tho curator (Mr D. Hope) reported that on February 21st, Mr Eric Gray, Teddington, called for five pairs of chukor; on the 22nd, Ranger Digby took *35 pairs to Lake Pearson district; on March Bth Mr Gardiner, Purau, took five pairs; on the 17th Ranger Bearman took 17 pairs to Hawkswood. After collecting three dozen eggs the birds ceased laying. One set hatched on March 12th with poor results, only three chicks hatching, one dying immediately. The report was received and Mr Hope was congratulated on having hatched the chukor. Other Matters. After the circumstances in which ferrets had been kept by the curator at Greendale had been detailed, it was decided unanimously to expunge from the records any reference to the matter. The Department of Internal Affairs asked for the Society's opinion regarding an open season for opossums this year. The letter was referred to the Opossum .Committee.