NEW CHAIRMAN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 223, 16 June 1932, Page 9

NEW CHAIRMAN

Acclimatisation Society ACTIVITIES REVIEWED Dr. G. F. V. Anson Elected An innovation was noted at a meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last evening, when for the first time it elected its own chairman from the members appointed at the annual meeting. Hitherto the president of the society has automatically been chairman of the executive, but an alteration to rules at the last annual meeting last month made the new procedure possible. Dr. G. F. V. Anson was elected to the chair, vice Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, who resigned the chairmanship after 27 years’ service in that capacity. The work of the society was not only the work of a rod and gun club, Mr. Tripp said. It had always done the ranging of New Zealand’s native birds. In the old days the pioneers of the society were the ones responsible entirely for the protection of our native birds. For many years the society had got no revenue at all from ducks, and it was not until 1921 that it received license fees from that source. Mr. Tripp said that as president of the Wellington and the associated society, and backed up by all the societies of New Zealand, he had been for many years urging upon the Government to give acclimatisation societies their due. It was pointed out that not only was the society protecting the ducks, but also the native bird life. Up to 1921 the only revenue received was from fishing, imported game, and from deer, but the revenue from the fishing licenses was always greater than that received from game. “I would like to thank you all very much for the support you have given me in the past,” Mr. Tripp added. New Chairman. Dr. G. F. V. Anson and Mr. R. H, Nimmo were then nominated for the ofiice of chairman, a ballot resulting in seven votes being cast for each. Mr. Tripp gave his casting vote in favour of the older member, Dr. Anson. On taking over the chairmanship of the meeting Dr. Anson said that possibly Mr. Nimmo would be of more use to the society, giving his advice on committees, instead of merely chairman of open meeting. He hoped that all would work together as a team, and that some of the petty bickerings that had taken place between the so-called shooting and fishing interests would be banished. He thought that they should all remember that they had acclimatisation at heart, and the society was not a rod and gun club. Members should also realise that they were entrusted with the wild life of the Wellington district, and they should give every effort to promote its increase, both natural and otherwise. Mr. A. Seed urged that future nominations be in 1 lie hands of the secretary fourteen days before the election, and that voting be conducted by postal ballot. Mr. R. 11. Nimmo opposed the suggestion of voting by postal ballot. He considered that the chairman should be elected by popular vote of members present at the meeting. Reduction in Revenue. The chairman of the finance committee, Mr. D. J. Gibbs, said that in the coming year the society was faced with a reduction in income of approximately £1460, which was made up of a loss of £BOO in opossum fees, a 10 per cent, reduction in license fees, and £250 to be paid for pheasants already distributed. The saving of £3OO would include a 10 per cent, reduction in rangers’ and staff salaries. There was not very much money with which to carry on the work, he said'. The chairman said that the fish and game committees would have to give the council some idea of their proposals for the year. ~ Committees for the ensuing year were set up as fallow: — ‘ Finance Committee.—Messrs D. J. Gibbs (chairman), R. 11. Nimmo, A. Seed, W. J. 11. Hanse. C. IT. Bould, and F. Dyer. Gaine Committee.—Messrs. R. 11. Nimmo (chairman), J. Brassoil, C. H. Bould, 11. 11. Morris, C. G. I’earse, W. J. 11. Haase, S. T. Tisdali. and E. C. Little. Fish Committee.—Messrs. A. Seed (chairman), .1. Hall, D. J. Gibbs, S. T. Tisdali. R. H. Nimmo, and F. Dyer.