WESTLAND ACCLIM. SOCIETY

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 August 1936, Page 8

WESTLAND ACCLIM. SOCIETY

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Westland Acclimatisation Society was held last evening; present: Messrs.. A. C. Armstrong (Chairman), Jas. King, D. J. Evans, G. Buchanan. J. Preston, J. J. Mclntosh, J. Robinson, E. Eade aud W. Nimmo. Apologies for absence were received from Mr. C- L. Harper, G. Perry, and F. Pierson. The chairman extended a welcome to the two new members on the Executive. viz., Messrs. Nimmo and Eade, both of whom, he said, have had considerable experience in acclimatisation matters, and should be helpful on the Executive. The activities of the Society were not so marked as during the last few years, due to a weakened financial position, but he felt that there were great possibilities for acclimatisation, when a more appreciative recognition of the work of the Societies is shown by the Government Department. He was glad to see new members taking an interest in the Society. Messrs. Nimmo and Eade briefly thanked the chairman for his remarks.

The Internal Affairs Department advised that complaints had been received from Mrs. Parry concerning the depredations of the white herons on her cage birds and chickens, and requesting confirmation of the position as stated. The Society was also requested to keep a careful watch on the herons in order to prevent possible damage to the birds. —It was decided to reply confirming the statements of Mrs. Parry. Mr. J. Matthews, of Okuru, wrote suggesting that the Society should liberate rainbow trout in the Okuru and Turnbull rivers and offering to make a. donation to help in the expense. —The secretary was instructed to reply advising Mr. Matthews that the Society were not hatching any rainbow trout this season, but would keep the subject in mind. Appreciation of his offer to assist financially was also expressed. The N.Z.A.S.A. wrote requesting an earlier remission of the yearly subscription this year, in order to meet its liabilities. —Approved. The Secretary of the Marine Department advised, that the Governor-Gen-eral had revoked the appointments of eight honorary rangers under the Fisheries Act, in respect of the Westland district.

The Grey Acclimatisation Society wrote requesting the Society’s co-op-eration in stocking the Taramakau River with rainbow trout. —Members expressed the opinion that it was a waste of money trying to stock the West Coast rivers with rainbow and considered taht this specie was more suitable for liberation in the lakes. It was resolved to advise the Grey Society the that Hokitika Society could not agree with the suggestion. The Waitaki Acclimatisation Society forwarded a circular letter regarding the reconstitution of societies, and also a copy of its strictures on the recent questionnaire.—lt was agreed to reply stating that this Society fully agreed that a delegate from each Society should be invited to the initial meeting of the reconstitution conference.

The meeting agreed to make a donation of £5 towards the expense of the Westland advertising section of the N.Z. Illustrated, 1936. The Chairman reported that the curator of the hatchery (Mr. S. W. Ridland) had been successful in obtaining 100,000 brown trout ova from Sunny Bight Creek and the Kanieri Electric Coy’s water race. The ova showed a high percentage of fertility, and when hatched would be returned to Lake Kanieri.