GAME LICENSES

Evening Star, Issue 23103, 1 November 1938, Page 13

GAME LICENSES

INTERCHANGE WITH SOUTHLAND PROPOSAL DEFLATED That Otago and Southland game licenses will not he interchangeable next season was a decision reached at the monthly meeting of the Otago Acehinatisation Society last nigut._ Considerable discussion on the point coneluded with a vote of 8 to 6 against interchanging. Mr C. A. Wilson moved that the society should not agree to the interchange of game licenses. Arguing that that was a wrong decision, Mr S. H. Barnes pointed to the successful interchange of fishing licenses with Southland. The southern province had probably spent as much money as Otago in an attempt to establish game birds in Southland. The Otago Society would not lose very much, anyway, but he thought they_ would “ greatly increase their prestige and popularity.” Southland had issued a 10s license, said Mr J. Hutchison, and he did not think such licenses should entitle South Island sportsmen to shoot in Otago. If shooters registered with the society were paying for the provision of game, Mr Wilson thought they should look after their interests. Mr S. F. Aburn contended that shooting and fishing were very different sports, for whereas the rivers tended to restock themselves the society _ had to do a good deal towards maintaining game supplies. Sportsmen who could afford to travel from one district to another to. get their game could afford to buy a local license, said Mr Hutchison. Suggesting that the scheme he tried for a year, Mr Barnes said that it could be reviewed at the end of that period, and he moved an amendment that the scheme be given a year’s < trial. When it was pointed out that this was a direct negative to the motion, Mr Barnes withdrew his amendment. The motion was carried by 8 votes to 6.