WITH ROD AND GUN. WELLINGTON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1910, Page 8

WITH ROD AND GUN. WELLINGTON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS' WORK. It is now twenty-five years since the Wellington Acclimatisation Society commenced its labours in tho interests of sport in this district. In tho annual report of the society just to hand reference is made to this fact, and the statement is unassumingly made that "the society may fairly look back with satisfaction on the result of the strenuous endeavours of those who have gratuitously devoted their time and energies to the cause during this long period." GAME FARM. At the game farm at present there are being reared 180 grey and American black ducks and 230 pheasants. Stoats and ferrets again proved very troublesome. The attention of the society might very well be' given to the introduction and rearing of suitable varieties of water-fowl. More American black duck should be procured. The Australian black duck and American wood duck might also be obtained. The council recommends this subject to the attention of its successors. On the whole tho operations here are considered satisfactory. THE DEER HERDS. Conflicting reports have been received from the Wairarapa this shooting season, some stalkers expressing great satisfaction with the number and condition of the heads, others complaining that they saw very few heads worth taking. It can hardly be expected that the country (which has low been stocked with deer for many years, is becoming hemmed in by settlement, and has been shot over continuously) will still produce the phenomenal heads Of years ago ; but, notwithstanding this, the reports as to the presence of many good heads are well authenticated. The question as to the best means of dealing with this herd is a difficult one. Satisfactory accounts continue to be received as to the condition of the several new herds of red deer which the society has established during recent years in various parts of the district. Afc Wainui-o-mata some very fine heads have been seen, and also at Paraparaumu forest. It is thought thatnext year the council might very well consider the propriety of opening these two reserves to a limited number of stalkers. The Paraiparawmu herd is keeping well to the forest reserve-, and during the past rutting seaeon many good f-jtagis were seen and heard round the deer park and neighbourhood. At Ekdtahuna the herd is reported to be doing well, and increasing. In the Tararuas additions ha,ve been made to the numlbers there by way of liberating young deer, while the deer at the head of the Tauherenikau Rive<r (mostly Werribfce Park strain) are stated to be thriving. A small herd has been started by the society ,at the foot of the Mils north-west of Carterton, and four hinds were seen there recently. Th© three herds last mentioned will no doubt jem forces. A herd haß also been started at tne foot of the Ruaihine Range, beyond. Mangaiweka. It only remains now to start a herd, gay, afc the .bead of uhe Ortaki River, and to supplement the. small herds already started in order to stock tne whole of the ranges from Eketahuna to the West Coast-, and as far north as Taihape. The revenue derived from stalking licenses wais over £220 for the year. The deer at the game farm continue to thrive. FOR THE ANGLER. From th© Government natchery at Hakataramea, 400,000 trout ova were obtained, and 1000 rainbow from Rotorua. The result of the year's*, working enabled the society to turn out 344,000 brown and 97,000 rainbow fry, 64,863 brown and 890 rainbow yearlings. The fishing during the past season, as UAual, has varied in difterent parts of the district, but, speaking generally, good sport 'has been obtained. The action' of the society in' discontinuing the collection of ova in the rivers in its own district and obtaining instead new and vigorous 'blood from the sea-run iilsbi of the SouitJieun riyere, cannot fail to have a- good effect on the stamina of the fish in our streams. Numerous prosecutions under the Animals Protection Act, 1908, and under the Fisheries Act, 1908, have been instituted, resulting in convictions in, nearly every instance.