ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 64, 18 March 1901, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting- of the Society was held on Saturday afternoon to make arrangements for the coming season. The President, Mr Finn, was in the chair. The Chairman said many members were anxious to obtain deer, which, he understood, could be procured from the Government at about £6 a head. The Society had a good credit balance, and it would be as well to stock their rivers with fish, and a few deer might also be obtained. The shooting season, he said, would open on Ist May and close on 31st July for native and imported game. A close season was being observed for pigeons, pukaki, and kaka.' A long discussion ensued as to tho advisability of procuring young fry instead of ova, which had not been at all successful. Mr Kenway considered it would bo more judicious to procure deer instead of expending anything more on the procuring of ova. Mr Clark thought the deer would be objected to by farmers, as deer were a -nuisance. The secretary stated that Mr Williams of Matahiia, would be willing to have the deer liberated at his place. The President said he understood the Government had liberated somo at Waikaremoana. Mr Clark wanted to know how liberating the deer at Waipiro Bay was going to benefit lSembers of the Society at this end of the district. Mr H. G. Price did not agree with Mr Kenway’s proposition to expend the available funds (about £100) on importation of deer. Something should be spent in procuring Californian quail. Mr Clark was in favor of giving tl e trout a fair trial for another year. He wished to know from where the live trout could be obtained, and at what cost. The same questions applied to the importation of Virginian quail. He moved that the whole available funds be expended on trout alone, which would test the question as to whether trout could be successfully raised. —Mr Martin Smith seconded.—Mr C. H. Dixon proposed as an amendment' that the funds be expended on trout and Virginian quail.—Mr C. Ferris seconded the amendment.—Before the amendment was put the Secretary, in answer to Mr Kenway, stated he had been informed that quail would thrive alright in this district. —A deadlock haring occurred, Mr Kenway suggested that the question be left over until the annual meeting of the Society, when full information could be obtained in reference to where the quail and trout could be obtained, and at what cost.—Mr Clark supported Mr Kenway’s suggestion, and the meeting decided to discuss the matter at the annual meeting. Mr Price suggested that rangers be appointed to see that the game protected are not shot by the Natives during the close season. Unless something were done, the benefits of the close season would be lost.—Mr "Williams suggested that paid rangers be appointed to look after the Society’s interests.—Mr Martin Smith would like to see a ranger appointed for

the Motu, where birds were being slaughtered wholesale. In reference to the Natives, Mr Ferris suggested that the recently appointed Native Councillors be requested to supervise the observance of the close season. He accepted the position of a ranger himself, and promised to do what he could to make the Society’s wishes known to the Natives.