ACCLIMATISATION

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 118, 20 May 1932, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION

WELLINGTON SOCIETY

MANY ACTIVITIES

The forty-seventh annual report >of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, to be presented at the annual meeting On Tuesday, 31st May, records a successful year in spite of the fall in revenue owing to the depression. Owing to the mild season, the breeding farm had great success with the rearing of birds. One hundred pheasants were liberated last August, and the total to be liberated this year is 630. It is suggested that there will be no cause for coniplaint on the score of the tameness of these birds. Much was done during the year in the way of pisciculture. Brown fry distributed totalled 1,069,000, and rainbow fry 195,000. Brown yearlings distributed totalled, 9150, and rainbow yearlings 8850. The fishing season just concluded is fully reported on. The Hutt River, it is said, has been most disappointing. That more people have time to fish now than used to be the case, owing to enforced idleness, has had an effect upon the number, and size of the fish remaining in the streams. "Considering the heavy demand made upon the streams and rivers, it must be admitted that they have stood up to it 'in a remarkable manner," says the report. POACHING. ,; | A paragraph on the work of the ranges in putting down poaching says:—"A review of the past year indicates that the policy of issuing information in the shape of posters, lists o.f protected birds, and" of regulations has had its due effect. Native pigeons are plentiful, but apparently some irresponsible people are not yet fully convinced of the necessity of protecting these birds, and several instances of the unlawful taking •of pigeons have been reported. In two cases our rangers were successful in securing, the conviction of offenders, and several other charges are pending. Bird lovers have been most helpful in passing on information to our rangers, but in many cases, owing to the lack! of detail and prompt information, the rangers were unable to secure convictions. Owing to the low state of the rivers in the late summer months the rangers were kept busy and much night .work was entailed. It is worthy of,note, however, that several con-, victions were - secured for. unlawful practices. , Some very smart work was done-on the part of: the rangers in apprehending offenders." The report concludes with a reference to the proposed merger with the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society. A decision to merge, it is stated, would be heartily welcomed.