FISH RESEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 113, 9 November 1933, Page 20

FISH RESEARCH

SHORT OF FUNDS

SOME SOCIETIES APATHETIC?

• There appears to be a possibility that unless some acclimatisation societies contributo more- genero.usly towards freshwater fish research, tho Central Freshwater Research Committee, which is short of funds, may have to cease operations. At a meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last night a letter was received from the -New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies' Association .stating that the matter of financo had been, discussed by tho Central Fresh-water Research Committeo held at Christchurch, when tho opinion was expressed that some societies did not show "a proper appro-1 ciation of tho importance to anglers of the work being done. It was felt by societies who were generously supporting the work that, in view of the benefit to th'o whole Dominion, all societies should contribute. As an acclimatisation body the writers felt a 'duty to those who'came after them, and that tho work should be corftinued. Without more support from the societies, however, tho end was in sight. Tho work had reached a stage where, if operations ceased, much valuable work would be lost, and.tho ground hard to recover. Tho support of the Wellington Society was sought. As far as tho Wellington Society was concerned, said the chairman (Dr. G. F. V. Anson) it had budgeted for a contribution to tho central research committee to the amount of some £75, and a. definite percentage of both fishing and .'opossum revenue had been ,voted towards that end. It would bo remembered that tho Wellington Society had carried the bulk of the work on its own ■ shoulders for several years, until the w-ork became self-supporting. Opossum.revenue had not been received for a period, and it would be necessary to ascertain the amount of opossum revenuo allocated the society from tho last'trapping season before estimating the ampunt available for tho abovo purpose.' • ' ■ Mr. A. Seed: Tho research,committeeis getting v.cry short of funds"—Yes. Th'b'-chainnanr As. I understand tho position they-can carry on our work during tho whole of this year for certain, but,unless more money is promised, its; programme will have- to bo modified.' There.'appeared to be' some uncertainty as to what other societies were giving.. ' Tho .secretary said that it. was obligatory on the Wellington Society to pay the amount it had voted. After-further discussion the matter was referred to the finance committee.