ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 21218, 27 September 1932, Page 12

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

MEETING OF COUNCIL Those present at the monthly meeting of the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society last night were Messrs S. F.-Aburn (in the chair), C. A. Wilson, G Howes, J. Hutchison, M. Bvrratt, J. H. Stewart, J. Maconie, W. G. Reid, G. Porter, T. Long, W. H, Wilson, G. E Turner, A. J. White, S. H. Barnes, R. Fountain, J. R. Wilson, and H. G. Williams. REPORTS. Tfic Angling Committee’s report recommended that the proposed allocation of Schotcbbnrn fry no approved, some fry Mr the river at Chaslands to be noted for attention. The Secretary of the Marino Department, Wellington, wrote advising that the proposed alterations to the society’s trout fishing regulations had been approved with a, few exceptions.—Received. The Town Clerk, Dunedin, wrote granting permission for the destruction of perch in the old dredge hole opposite the house of Mr R. J. Cotton, at Waipori. —lt was recommended that the matter bo discussed later. R. R. Kinnaird, Alexandra, wrote re the removal of trout from the large water races of the Public Works Department near Clyde. —Received. R. Cockburn, Roxburgh, reported on the collecting of rainbow trout eggs.—Received. J. Faulks, Pembroke, reported that the first lot of brown trout would be ready to liberate in a few days. The number of eggs hatched were 423,000 brown trout; to be hatched, 75,000 brown and 155,000 rainbow.—Received. A. M. Thomson, Owaka, wrote that his son caught 311 cels last summer, and asked if he eoidd get a free license.—lt was recommended that the boy get ,a- complimentary license. The Secretary of the Upper Clutha Anglers’ Association wrote stating that a minimum of 100,000 fry would bo sent to the Cromwell district. —lt was decided to return thanks for the letter. The Tapanui Anglers’ Association wrote requesting a medal for an angling competition.—lt was recommended that a medal bo given for a competition for artificial bait fishing. It was recommended that Mr J. Austin be thanked for his work on the Leith this season, and that he and Ray Matthews bo given complimentary fishing licenses. Mr Barratt brought up the matter of organising a drive for the shooting of shags, and offered to give prizes to the value of £2, £l 15s, and £1 for those sending in the heads of the three largest numbers of shags shot as the result of the drive. He intended visiting as many angling clubs as possible within the next three weeks with the idea of getting their support and co-operation in the matter.—lt was recommended that all possible support be given to Mr Barratt’s proposition. The report was adopted. The Game Committee reported that the curator’s letter regarding the price of bantam hens was received, and it was recommended that the society go on with the scheme of rearing pheasants; that Messrs Aburn, Fountain, Barratt, and Reid (with power to add to the number) bo appointed to go into details; that the curator be asked to buy six bantam hens as soon as ho had a place ready. Correspondence was dealt with as under:—From tho Department of Internal Affairs: (1) September 6,-saying that consideration would be given to the society’s request to import stubble quail from Australia on certain conditions,—lt was recommended that a copy of the letter be sent to the people communicated with in Australia. (2) September 9, granting authority to W. Marshall, jun., Outram, to shoot pukeko on his property for fourteen days from September 14.—Received. (3) September 12, suggesting that black swan be excluded from tho list of game which might be taken or killed during the open season on Lake Hawoa.—-It was recommended that the Minister be written to and informed the society had no objection to the shooting of black swan being prohibited on Lake Hawea and for a distance of five chains round the lake. From tho secretary of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society inquiring re Californian quail and the price. —To be informed the society regretted it couldn’t supply this season. From the secretary, Waitaki Acclimatisation Society, asking if the society could send up to fifty pair of Californian quail this year.—To be informed the society regretted it could not supply. From the secretary. North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, asking if the society was agreeable to pay a royalty of Is per head on the little gray owl.—Recommended that tho question be referred to tho conference. From M'Skimming and Son, Benhar, advising that eight pukeko wore shot under their permit.—Received. From W. Marshall, jun., Outram, asking for another permit to shoot pukeko as lie did not do any shooting under the first one, owing to, his being away on holidays.—To be informed the society could not recommend the Minister to grant him permission to shoot whenever he liked. The report was adopted. GENERAL. It was decided to present a gold medal to the Taieri Anglers’ Club for an angling competition. Mr Alan Jaques, Balwyn, Victoria, wrote stating that it was now tho close season for stubble quail. The season was from August 1 to March 14. lie might be, able to supply them, hut it was a trouble to get live birds. He suggested that_ the society should get tho bob whiti—a very flue sporting bird. He had about three pairs, and would try to rear more this season. Also lie had about twenty bamboo partridges, which should be good sporting birds.—lt was decided to thank the writer for his information. It was decided that the secretary (Mr R. Hanning) and a member to ho apnointed represent the society at tho forthcoming annual conference. Mr Howes reported having attended n meeting of tho Freshwater Research Committee at Christchurch early in September, and a special meeting at Wellington afterwards. Reports on the trapping and tagging of fish were presented at the first meeting showing results obtained. Research had been carried on for two years, and the results were excellent. It appeared to him that in another three years so much would he done that further research would not be necessary. He therefore considered that the society should concentrate on this work now, when all anglers were keenly interested in securing information for further guidance. The present funds might be exhausted and more asked'for, but it was hotter to do this than work in so restricted a manner that the results would be long in coming, and so lose the public interest and dishearten the workers. There Was a full discussion on the nuestinn of obtaining extra funds, and it was finally decided to instruct tho delegates to tho conference to support the proposal to negotiate for permission to run an art. union for the nnrnose of raising monnv. the Portohello Hatcheries to he included in tho scheme.