GAME PROTECTION SOCIETY.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 192, 15 March 1878, Page 6

GAME PROTECTION SOCIETY.

A public meeting of those interested in field sports, called by advertisement, Avas held in the Crown Hotel here on Monday evening. _ There were present ; — Messrs T. T. Ritchie, Mason, Hutchins, James Bishop, A. Kilgour, Moir, Cowie, Nicol, Hewitson, Nelson, Hope, T. C. Bishop, Low, and Fleming.

Mr Ritchie was called to the chair, and explained that the object of the meeting was to consider various matters in connection with the preservation of game in the district. He pointed out that this year the season for shooting pheasants had been curtailed to two months, no doubt iv consequence of a number of individuals killing birds wholesale, and thus unduly reducing their number during last season. May, he considered the best month for shooting, but this year it would be a close month. Last year, he said, parties came from Dunedin and camped out 'for weeks killing birds of all lands, hens as well as cocks. All would see that that kind of thing would neutralise the efforts of the Acclimatisation Society and would prevent legitimate sport. He thought it was time for all true sportsmen to take action in the matter to prevent parties not having a license destroying game aud also to prevent abuses by those who took out licenses.

Mr Hutchins concurred in the remarks made by the Chairman. He also considered that hares were not yet plentiful enough in the district to warrant issuing licenses to shoot. Coursing was not so destructive, and besides, it had the effect of scattering hares to other districts. A few had been taken to Warepa, aud other districts, and now these might all be destroyed before they had time to increase. At all events if shooting were allowed, it should only be so in defined districts.

A long conversation ensued as to the best mode of preventing shooting without licenses and also preventing the abuse of licenses. Ultimately —

Mr Mason moved—** That the Acclimatisation Society be requested to withdraw the districts of Hillend, Kaitangata, and Clutha from the operation of the resolution to shoot hares. "

Seconded by Mr James Bishop, and carried.

Mr Hutchins moved — " That in the opinion of this meeting the Acclimatisation Society should not issue licenses for shooting or coursing in any district until requested to clo so by the settlers resident in the district."

Seconded by Mr Cowie, and carried. Mr Nicol moved — " That it is desirable local Boards should be established in each district and that licenses to shoot or course should only be issued by such boards or upon their recommendation ; such boards also to have the power of cancelling licenses in any case where the same may be abused, or that licenses be cancelled by the Society upon the recommendation of the Boards."

Seconded by Mr T. C. Bishop, and carried.

It was resolved that the Chairman be requested to forward a copy of the foregoing resolutions with explanations to the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society. Mi* Fleming moved — " That in the event of the Acclimatisation Society not taking immediate steps for establishing local boards as referred to in the foregoingresolutions that a society be formed to be called ' The Clutha Game Protection Society,' to be composed of members paying an annual subscription of 10s 6d. The society to have for its objects the preservation of game in the Clutha and surrounding districts by talcing steps to convict parties shooting without a . license or killing game out of seasion ; the obtaining of evidence against any party making a trade of killing game, with a view to the license been cancelled ; by the prosecution of parties for trespass in pursuit of game when requested so to prosecute by the land owner ; and lastly by offering rewards for evidence that will lead to convictions, and also for employing parties to watch and detect lawbreakers.

Seconded by Mr Hutchins, and carried. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to procure subscriptions, and take steps for the formation of the Society — Messrs T. T. Ritchie, Hutchins, John Nelson, John Watt, James Bishop, John Crawford, Wm. Hay, James Grey, W. S. Pillians, and Wm. Telford, junior. Mr Hutchins was appointed secretary and treasurer to the committee.

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.