ACCLIMATISATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10737, 7 November 1928, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION.

OPOTJ.KI WANTS AMALGAMA- : TION' WITH ROTORUA.

PROSPECTS OF BETTER STOCKED STREAMS.

MORE PHEASANTS MAY BE LIBERATED.

(Special To The Times). OPOTIKJ, Nov. 6.

A largely attended meeting of members of the Opotiki Acclimatisation Society was held last night to consider tho question whether the Society should amalgamate with the Rotoriia Society. Messrs W. district manager, and Cobeldick, of the Tourist Bureau, Rotorua, attended, also Mr W. Semmens, of tho Whakatane Rod and Gun Club. -Mr Hill stated that the visitors were present to hear reasons why Opotiki wished to amalgamate, and to give any information. The speaker commented on the fact of the small income of the Opotiki Society, and said there was not much to offer tilt, Depart men t. Very few fry had been liberated in'the Opotiki streams the last five years. •Mr Cobeldick spoke at length or. the question of opossums and deer, being in favor of the liberation of the former, and. stating also that the traps used for their capture . were very useful in catching rats, thus protecting Native birds. Numbers ot questions were asked bearing on such subjects as the destruction of trout by shags, the illegal practice of the blowing up of streams, the removal of trout from small ponds in dried up streams, the appointment of a full time ranger for the Opotiki-Whakatane district, etc. The questions were freely answered by the visitors. ' A motion proposed by Mr E. J. Short and seconded by Mr .T. B. Birkmyer that Opotiki apply for amalgamation with Rotorua was carried, an amendment being defeated by a large majority. Messrs Hill and Cobeldick stated that if tho amalgamation were grant ed then the sum of £IOO standing to the credit of the Opotiki Society would probably be immediately spent m the Opotiki district in stocking rivers with trout and the liberation of pheasants. Mr W. A. Butler, president of tho Opotiki Society, assured the visitors that if the request were granted there would be substantial increase in revenue from the Opotiki district. A vote of thanks to tho visitors concluded an enthusiastic meeting.