ACCLIMATISATION

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21120, 22 March 1934, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION

NORTH CANTERBURY j SOCIETY | MEETING OF COUNCIL The council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society met last night. There were present:—Messrs F. Steans ichairman), G. L. Pomfret Dodd, N. McGill.vray, G. T. Robertson T. Bain C. J. Holsey, H. T. Stubberfield, C F Champion, C. R- Russell, C. H. Lawrence. C. D. Wheeler, J. Mackenzie J Murphv, G. Ebert, K. Campion, K Gwcr, D. M. Bradbury J. M. Page, and Professor E. Percival. The chairman reported on the view he and the secretai> (Mi C. \\. Hervey) had had that day with the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. j a Young) and the under-sccietaiy Mr RI Eraser... He said that he had taken the opportunity to impress on the minister and the undei-secie-tarv the necessity for giving the society the protection required in relation to Lake Ellesmere Ihe conversation was a continuation of correspondence that had been going on between the society and the Mmistei for some months past. He lthe chairman) had been led to hope that at last the department realised how necessarv it was to give the society some additional protection at Lake Ellesmere, particularly in respect, of Canadian geese. Neither the Minister nor the under-secrotary would commit himself, but he (.the chauman) believed that they were not over-opti-mistic in believing that this year they would get the protection that thj-> had on a previous occasion. int. Minister and the under-secretary had promised to give the matter thenurgent attention. Activities of the Rangers Arising out of the report of the rangers' committee, Mr Lawrence said that members of the council, not bers of the committee, were entitled to more particulars as to the activities of the rangers. They were frequently asked whether the rangeis had been in any particular part of the district, but they were not able to give the information. The chairman said that members of the council should report matteis telating to ranging direct to the rangers committee, and not to the council. He agreed that the committee should fuinish the council with a resume of the rangers' activities of the previous m Mr il 'Pomfret Dodd said that the diaries of the rangers were furnished to the committee, and were dealt with fullv. Information was not being withheld except in the general interests of the society. Members were aware of information leaking out, and that had not been in the interests ol the society. Mr Price: That is an old bogey! Mr Murphy said that there was an "atmosphere of hide" about the council's meetings, and there should be fuller information given. Mr Poml'ret Dodd said that the committee would furnish the council with fuller reports. He did not feel that there was any dissatisfaction with the committee or with the manner ni which it had carried out its duties. He drew attention to the committee's request that anglers should carry with them their licenses while fishing. Members had gone into other acclimatisation districts and when asked by rangers for their licenses they had been unable to produce them, and this had led to correspondence. ihe report of the committee was adopted Game Committee The game committee reported that •SOU swans had bee., ringed, and thanks were placed on record to Messrs W. Savage, Alex. Smith, W. King, and S. Knight for assistance given. An effort was being made to obtain white swans to fulfil orders received. The Department of Internal Allairs had i.-sued a permit to the society to take two brace of godwit for examination. Ten pukcko had been forwarded to Mr F. Nurse, Ha warden. The appointment of two honorary rangers was recommended. The secretary had presented a .atement of the pheasants which hail been liberated so far on private property; six consignments still had to t'o forward. It was resolved to supply pheasants fur the properties of Messrs C. F. Bassett. Burnt Hill, and F. Gorton, Wood.-tock; in addition, half-a-do.en nuail would be liberated on Mr Ba.-sett's property. Letters of 'thanks fur assistance in the liberation of phenjants had been forwarded to Messrs G. D. Mcllraith and 11. Aj-ers. The report of the gamekeeper stated that owing to the severe storm on March 7 and to power being off from 11 p.m. to G a.m., 7L' pheasants died because of being chilled. Replying to Professor Percival. Mr Wheeler said that old swans had been ringed with blue rings, and this year's (latched swan; had been ringed' with green rin«;. It wa> intended to notifv . other acclimatisation wit'tie* about • tiie ringing of the swans, and al: o Hios" interested in the matter in the Chatham Island-:. Regarding the appointment of honorary rangers, it was decided that the ranger.'' committee should enquire about the persons recommended and leport to the council wheih would re-' commend the appointment.-. References Mere made to the neees-

i My lor lullcr reports from the .yamckecper. and Mr Wheeler undertook to look into the matte;'. The report was adopted. The chairman reported thai recently lie visited the Cheviot district whore some pheasants were liberated on the Caverhill station, and he learned from the shepherd that they were doing very well, though they had been liberated only a short period. They had been pi o\ ided with cirnplt: food to earrv them on till they could look after themselves. They were in a place where there was ample protection. Native and Imported Game A telegram was received from the Department of Internal Affairs stating that the Government, had decided on a two months' season for native and imported Same, and no limit on the number of mallard ducks that might be taken, or killed; the Wellington societv desired three months' season and "a limit of 10 mallard. The North Canterbury Society's opinion was asked about these matters. It was deckled to reply that the sock ty was in favour of extending the season to .Inly HI (three months* and that there be a limit of 10 mallard in addition to the limit of .10 head of other ducks that might be taken. It was also decided to recommend the department to merease the number of decoys that might be used from 13 t ; "5. Other Matters The Marine Department wrote suggesting that the society's rangers Messrs E. Bearman and C. H. McGco! be appointed inspectors under Pari 1 of the Fisheries Act, the department to pay £lO a year each to them. It was decided to agree to the department's request and to suggest that in future the honorarium be paid direct to the society. Mr Russcil made'a statement, in committee, about salmon fishing without a license. On resuming, it was reported that the com cil was of opinion that the act sufVicientlv covered the matter.