ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 17367, 1 June 1920, Page 10

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. _ The fifty-fouTth annual' meeting of the above society was -held last evening, the president (Mr G. W. M'lntosh) occupying the chair.' There was a large attendance of members. The. Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual Teporfc and balance-sheet, said :*ihat the financial position was very a satisfocJtory. The income for the year was £1,874' ?Bs—an increase of £345 4s as compared with the previous year. The expenditure amounted to £1,734 7s lOd, plus £l9 6s for depreoiatipn on the society's motor car and motor cycle; a total of £1,753 13s 10d—a decrease of £4B 15s 8d on last year's figures; . the net Tesult being a satisfactory balance of £l2O 14s 2d to the good for the year. So long as the society had sufficient to carry on their work they were satisfied. It was not their object, to establish a strong financial position. They looked to spending their money in improving the status of game and fish in their district by importation. Poaching was very rife, and l it ; was very difficult for one ranger to keep'it down. Their returns of 'angling -licenses for the year had been most satisfactory, showing an increoso of £265 5s as compared with "the preceding year. He thought that members could rest assured that -Mr Pelleti,: .the curator at the "* Clinton hatchery,, had; the interests of anglers at heart, and that he had good prospects of replenishing the rivers this year with fine fish of the yearly and twoyoaxly old 6tage. A considerable amount of money had been spent in clearing oftt ehags, and he was sure that anglers would appreciate the work done in that direction. Eels accounted for a good many trout, and the council had been encouraging the destruction of them. There was no reason why the "Hawea deer herd should not be the finest in the world. All the reports showed that they wots much too numerous there. It had been thought advisable that an open season should be declared for paradise ducks during the year, after the damage done by them to turnips: but the Minister of "Internal Affairs seemed very much attached to thesff ducks.

Mr A. E. Jenkins seconded the motion, ■winch was- earned. ' ■ • The following office-bearers had been nominated for the year, and -were .elected according to regulation:—President, Mr G. W. M'lntosh; vice-presidents, Messrs A E Jenkins and C. P M. Butterworth; council —Messrs'R. Conn, T. Long, Thomas King, and R. Bnnsley. Dr Harrison was elected to a vacancy on the council. reference was made to the valuable .ana _ long services rendered by Air Mlntosh in the interests-of the society A special vote of thanks was accorded +.he secretary (Mr Hanning), Mr Pellett (curator), Mr Button (assistant curator), and Mr Duncan (ranger) for their services during the year, and it -was decided to pay theui a bonus of 15 per cent. Mr Baker (who has been treasurer of the society for many years) was also accorded a vote of thanks. The services Tendered by country members and also by Mr Wilson (chairmen o? the Angling Committee) and by Mr Hungorford (chairman of the Game Committee) were •referred to by the chairman in appreciative terms. • Mr J. Faulks (Pembroke) and Mr D Urqubart (Hawea Plat) were elected life members of .the societv. Mr Rodger moved—"That is be a recommendation to the council to approach the Jjand. Board and ask them to reserve -m area of water at Clifton as a sanctuary for ducks. —Carried. The Chairman referred to the question of boundaries between the Otago and Southland Societies, and said that a Commission would go, into the matter. The two societies had to appoint two delegates, with a Wellington Stipendiary Magistrate as chairman. The society were now proo.irod to appoint their delegates. They d'u] not of course approve of the adjustment as submitted by Southland.