ACCLIMATISATION

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 126, 30 May 1928, Page 14

ACCLIMATISATION

THE YEAR'S WORK PHEASANT REARING METHODS CHANGE MAY BE MADE The report to be presented at the- annual meeting of tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society on Thursday next deals with a number of- subjects of interest to tho angler and shot, and shows that a good deal of useful work has been done. THE GAME FARM. One of tho most frequent complaints from shooters is that little is done for them in providing game on the wing, but pheasant rearing is a costly and difficult business even in England, whoro vermin are exterminated, and in New Zealand, where vermin are protected, and rearing has not assumed tho nature of an exact science, as it has at Home, tho maintenance of a stock of pheasants is not an easy matter. The total cost of running the society's game farm at Paraparaumu was £.745, of which £637 was spent on pheasants, yet the liberations totalled only 1028. Concerning this the report says:— "There was a slight improvement in the number of pheasants reared at the farm during tho past season, viz., 281, as against 200 for 192G-27, but tho pheasant problem, both witli regard to tho number raised on the farm, and the number delivered on order, has proved unexpectedly difficult. The northern breeders suffered heavy losses, as tho result of the presence of an unusual quantity of vermin, and tho protracted drought. Out of an order for 500 pheasants for'delivery during March, only 90 came to hand. Further, there are absolutely no pheasants in sight t for August liberation. To prevent, if possible, a repetition of the trouble, the Game Committee will recommend that orders for 1928 lie spread over several breeders. The position with regard to the raising of birds at the farm is under review, and probably some changes will bo given effect to." PISCICULTURE. During the 1927 season 1,166,000 brown trout fry, 108,000 rainbow trout fry, 6230 brown trout yearlings, and 4200 rainbow yearlings were distributed. The work of distribution proved a strenuous task, but was carried out without loss by good team work. Many fast car runs were brought off, and much time saved as compared with the inconvenient train service. Tho council has arranged with the Masterton Trust Lands Board for an extension of its tenure, covering a long period of years on terms which are satisfactory to both parties, and can now proceed with its policy of pisciculture with a clear view of tho future. In accordance with the increased output from the hatchery, two additional holding ponds win be constructed in time for the 192S distribution. It is proposed to give orders for some 2,000,000 brown.and rainbow ova from the South Island and Taupo. During 1927 the committed sot up to select a qualified research student, appointed Captain J. S. Phillips, of England, to investigate tho subject of fresh water fish, and thoir food supply, and that' gentleman is now making tho acquaintance of tho rivers and streams m the society's area, and of their occupants. OPOSSUM TRAPPING SEASON, 1927. The returns proved that the fur-bear-ers are holding thoir own in the Wellington area, as 461 authorised persons lifted 50,079 skins, as against 477 and CB,BGB last year. Fair average takes were registered, and as prices ruled on the high side, tho expert trappers obtained good cheques. Eight convictions for breaches of the regulations were registered by the society's rangers. The total skin yield was 139,300 (for the Dominion), as against approximately 155,000 for 1926. The Wellington dates for 1928 will be as before, from 20th July to 31st August, and the season will undoubtedly be a busy one, as ever since February inquiries have been coming to the office. A number of forfeited skins sold at auction recently averaged 8s each. Many small skins were included, and on this basis fur should command good prices. THE SHOOTING SEASON. The sport on the main lakes was more than fair. The general analysis tends to show that the flights of duck are not as plentiful as in past seasons, and that swan are becoming scarce. This is the natural result of loss of secure breeding places, and an ever-in-creasing number of guns. However, a large, percentage oi sportsmen had an enjoyable outing. In tho swamp lands a large number of pukeko have been taken —(at Horowhenua) (2), for 3 days got 85 duck; (4) for 1 day 45 duck; (4) 1 day 40 duck; ■(2) 22 duck; (Buller Lake) (3), 60 duck (limit), (2) 2 days 42 duck; (To Horo —Bullerman's Lake) (3), 2 days, 120 duck (limit). At 30th May nearly 1300 licenses had been issued, and 600 lists of protected birds were sent out with licenses. Of some hundreds of men halted by rangers, only ono had no license. DEER SHOOTING SEASON. Owing possibly to the long, dry season, stags began roaring late, and ceased early, and stalkers who went out for tho.first ten days of the season had a thin time; later on matters improved and good sport was obtained. The most striking feature of the-season so far is the all-round improvement in the quality of tlie heads brought in and extracts from a letter written by Mr. P. M'Donald, tho vqteran stalker, guide, and taxidermist, of Fcatherston, set out his views of the present day heads: "Ec stags' hends for 1925, by far the most noticeable feature is the distinct improvement in quality they show. This seems to apply generally to all tho stalking areas, but perhaps more so to the Wellington district, with- Taihape and the country beyond easily first. This latter district has to date produced nearly twenty heads, ranging from 10 to 15-pointera. Two of the 15,-pointers are good ' examples of what heads ought to be, of splendid shape, size, and quality. One other outstanding feature is the absence of

weedy heads. Taking all the above into consideration, I can only conclude that, the Wellington heads have vastly improved in both quality and quantity. Incidentally the Hawkes Bay heads also show a distinct** improvement. I can only suggest that the heavy culling has had a most beneficial effect on all the herds concerned, and is probably the keynote to success." Bed deer culled in the Wellington district during the year totalled 4051. FISHING SEASON. The season 1927-28 just closed has been well above the averago for several years past, and in the face of a protracted drought the sport has been uniformly encouraging. . One prominent feature has been the- legion of young trout found working the streams. Summed up, the Manawatu and Kuamahanga provided the best averago weights, and the Makuri, the Manga-1 tainoka, the Wainui, the Otaki (above and below forks), and the Waipoua were most consistent. The Otaura, the Waikanao, the Tokomaru, and the Muugaroa fished well, whilst the Hutt and its tributaries were, as usual, full of surprises. A basket of five fish taken in one of these weighed out at 51b, 41b, 41b, 3 Jib, and 31b. Some large fish were- taken from the Upper Hutfc waters. The Wakatiki was not as go"d as many. Ksh were hard to take. (This is the stream of which, a Wellington angler is reported to have said that he knew the names and addresses of each fish). The Eangitikei furnished some fair sport—l 7, running from 511b down to 211b. Some totals are: A Wellington angler took about 120, chiefly from Waiuui and Otaki; two Masterton sportsmen had taken 131 and 119 by the cud of 1927. Hardy's Favourite and Greenwell's Glory accounted for most of the above. Approximately 2000 licenses wore issued; value £1500.