FOR SPORT

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 127, 30 May 1916, Page 4

FOR SPORT

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING.

Tiie Wellington ' Acclimatisation Society held its annual meeting at the Chamber of Commerce last night, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp presiding over a largeattendance.

The adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet (already published) was moved by the chairman. In doing so he said that as ..they were still in a state of war the report was on the wholesatisfactory., During the past year there had been a slight increase in the sale of licenses, and they also received a donation of £105 from Mr. Riddiford. Their revenue from the sale of fry and hinds had fallen off considerably, owing partly to other hatcheries being erected and partly to societies • economising in their work. In view of this and of the fact that the overdraft at 31st March "was £417, they had decided to economise both at the game farm and at the fish ponds. They had lost a most successful curator from the game farm 'in Mr. H. Ross. Subsequent misfortunes at the farm had led to their closing: down the pheasant breeding for the time being. They had arranged with Mr. Carlson, who resided nea.r the farm, to loot after the fences and the deer herd. The chairman referred further to the success of operations at the Masterton hatcheries, und6r Mr. Miller, and the fishing in various rivers. , Generally it had been patchy. Operations-would'have to be restricted at the hatcheries, however, in view of the inevitable restriction in the number of licenses during the next two years. Mr. Riddiford had promised a donation of £100 whenjthe society undertook the restocking of its game farm. Mr. Tripp thanked the members of subcommittees and the staff for the work done during the year. Mr.,W. H. Field, M.P., seconded the motion.

Mr. W. G. Talbot, in discussing the report, took exception to the payment of delegates' expenses. Ho suggested that greater publicity should be given to acclimatisation matters. In Canterbury much more information was disseminated. Visitors' fishing licenses should bo issued at a higher fee than for loca^ anglers. In America he found on enquiry they charged as much as £10 to visitors as against the ordinary license foe of a dollar. The Chairman said he entirely agreed that a higher fee should be charged for visitors' licenses. A resolution to that effect had been carried at conferences and placed before the 'Minister., but nothing had been done. Mr. A. T. Bate urged that the license fee should be increased from one guinea to two guineas. He referred to poaching by Maoris, among whom it was stated to be a common practice^ for three or four men to travel on one license.

Mr. A. F. Lowe, replying to a statement by Mr. Talbot regarding the protection of hawks, said that all native birds were protected for the whole of New Zealand. It was hoped now to arrange for the removal of the protection of hawks in. the districts which desired it. Delegates' expenses, Mr. Lowe .explained, were paid in order to allow sub-districts to have a voice in. the proceedings of the council. Mr. Field supported the removal of the protection from hawks, and advocated further that there should be a campaign for the extermination of hawks and shags. The report and the balance-sheet were adopted.'

VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS,

On the motion of Mr. S. Tisdall, seconded by Mr. Talbot,. it was resolved that it be a recommendation to the incoming council to request sub-com-mittees to make arrangements to pay expenses of-delegates attending council meetings, as the finances of the society do not permit of the continuance of the'present custom.

Mr. Tisdall further moved, and H was carried, that the incoming council be recommended to request the Post Office to insist:that the directions on'the licenses regarding addresses of license-holders be fully complied...with. On 'the motion of Mr. Seed the council was recommended to have copies of the annual report furnished a week before the annual meeting, to all licenseholders returning butts with their addresses.

The council, on Mr. Talbot's motion, was recommended to set up a sub-com-mittee to revise the rules, which, it was | stated, were very old. , OFFICERS. The following officers were elected : — President, His Excellency the Governor; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. H. Beetham, R. G. Bruce, A. J. Rutherfurd, L. G. Reid, and E. Riddiford; council, Messrs. W. Andrew (Wairarapa North), E. 0. Leppien (Wairarapa South), A. JJ. Crawford (Rangitikci South), R. V. Lloyd (Palmerston North), F. C. Turner (Eketahuna), W. Wakeham (Pahiatoa), L. 0. H. Tripp, George Nathan, A.' F. Lowe, W. 11. Field, F. Whitley, W. G. Talbot, J. Brassell, E. J. C. Wiffin, and C. G. Allen; auditor, Mr. W. S. Wheeler. Votes of thanks were accorded the chairman' and retiring. Officers, and ,the honorary ranger (Mr. Smith).