ACCLIMATISATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 124, 27 May 1915, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION

THE WELLINGTON DISTRICT ELECTION OF OFFICERS. There was a goodly muster of members of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society at the thirtieth annual meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce last night. Mr. L. O. H. Tripp presided. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (a precis of which haa been published), the Chairman read a telegram from Mr Bruce (Rangitikei), who, he said, had in previous years been a regular attendant and had always given members a most interesting dissertation on bird life. As to the war, many of the members of the association, had gone to the front, and he. believed that the sport which the association, represented 'had given, its full quota to the cause of Empire. He specially mentioned the names oF Captain Shannon, who had telegraphed him from the fighting line, Major Hughes, and Lieut. Morrison. He was sure they would all do their best to help their fellows who had gone to the front. He had received a letter from a friend at the front, who pointed out that they wanted socks and darning wool. If any members had anything to send along, they should be guided by that advice. Turning to the work that the society had in. view, he said he understood that if it was possible to have fewer societies, the Government would be prepared to give them grant*. That matter would be threshed out at a conference to be held this year, and it was to be hoped that any pos sible jealousy of email bodies would be overcome. Incidentally, tho Chairman mentioned that Mr. Eric Riddiford had given the society a donation of £100, and that the late treasurer (Mr. H. H. Oatler} had sold some valuable "heads" in the interests of the Belgian Fond. (Applause.) The society, he went on to cay, wanted more suo-«ommittees and more rangers. He hoped that Bome-regu* lation would be made in regard to the killing of opossums. There was no doubt that they were being killed in the mock cruel manner. The society had no desire to protect opossums against the fruitgrowers, but they objected to the cruel methods of trapping now in. vogue. In. conclusion, the Chairman paid a high tribute to the excellent work done by tlio staff attached to the society. Mr. O'Meara urged the claims of Wairarapa to have its waters better stocked. Now that the rabbite had been practically exterminated, they in the Wairarapa thought that the time had arrived for the liberation of pheasants and quail. He was pfcaeed to be able ■to report that pigeons were increasing i in number. i Answering remarks by others present, Mr. A. F. Lowe said that no settler in the Wairarapa who had asked for j fry had been refused. ~ I In flic course of a critical speech, Mr. W.. G. Talbot .expressed hi* objection to tourists being allowed to obtain licenses at the same price as that paid by residents of the Dominion. More than one member present complained that not sufficient attention wag paid to the stocking of pheasants in the vicinity of Wellington. It was also urged that licenses should be usable in other districts than those in which they were issued, and tßat everyone carrying ] a gun should be compelled to take out a license. Mr W. H. Field, M.P., testified to the cruel methods adopted (in some cases by boys and girls) 'in the trapping of opossums, and quoted authorities in his own district to the effect that they are not a nuisance to fruit growers. He was told that last year one man got £90 tor the sale of skins. In closing the debate, the Chairman said the society was only too glad to have honorary rangerß appointed. Un- ' fortupately, some of the honorary rangers \ appointed took no interest in their- office. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted as i under: — President, His Excellency the Governor; vice-presidents, Messrs. W v H. Beetham, R. C. Bruce, A. J. Rather-" ford, L. G. Reid, and Eric Riddiford ; council, Messrs. R. V. Lloyd (PalmerstOn North), W Barton (Wairarapa* South), A. D. Crawford (Rahgitikei Strath), Dr. R Turnbull (Rangitikei North), W. Wakenmn (Wakeham), — Andrew (Wairarapa North), J. F. I>yer, F. Whitley, W. H. Field, M.P., J. Brasell, L. O. H Tripp, E. J. Wiffen, A. F. Lowe, C. Allen, and L. H. B. Wilson. Mr. G- B. Hull was re-elected auditor. Messrs. Eric Riddiford, W Andrew, H. H. Ostler. L. 0. H. Tripp, and F Whitley were elected life-members. A vote of thanks to the honorary rangers was passed by acclamation. On the motion of Mr. , W. H. Field, M.P., it was decided to recommend the Conference and Acclimatisation Societies to bring every pressure to bear on the Government to increase the penaltius for poaching.