VERMIN CONTROL

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23753, 26 September 1942, Page 4

VERMIN CONTROL

BOARD FOR SOUTH ISLAND REQUEST BY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES , A request to the Government tdgiv| effect to the recommendations alrtadjf made for the setting up of a South !»• land Vermin Control Board was d«* cided on at yesterday’s annual meeting of the council of South Island Acclim* atisation Societies. Mr G. L. Pomfret* Dodd was again elected president,, Fresh-water fisheries research WBI discussed, and the council decided to ask the Government to issue a state* ment of accounts. A further reconi* mendation was that in view of the pre* sent financial position of the socieliei, and the obviously limited amount OX research which could be carried out at present, the levy be suspended dur* ing the war.

The council supported the applica* tion by the Ashburton and North Can* terbury societies to extend the area for fishing for salmon in the Rakaia river after March 31 to the Public Works Department’s water gauge, about'one mile and a half above the gorge bridge. On a remit from the North Canter* bury Society, it was decided to make further application to the Department of Internal Affairs for an increase in the amount allotted to societies from opossum revenue. The suggestion of the Grey district society that the Minister of Internal Affairs be asked to consider the liberation of a better breed of opossums (blues and greys) on the West Coast was endorsed. 'The society said little encouragement was offered to trappers because of the present poorer class of skin and the prices obtained. A remit from the Lakes district society that authority be given to societies to carry out the destruction of shags on sanctuaries by shooting under proper supervision was adopted. It was decided to ask the Department of Internal Affairs to notify conditions governing game season licences by March 1 each year, or, if possible, as soon as the recommendations had been approved by the Minister. A remit from Southland that 12s 6d fishing licences be issued to youths between the ages of 16 and 18 years inclusive was supported, although it was explained that the issue was a question of local action. *

The annual report of the president referred to the cancellation of the last open season for game. “It is observed with regret,” the report said, “that the reasons then advanced do not appear even at this date to have been sustained.” It was decided to make no levies on societies because of the good financial position of the society.