THE ACCLIMATISATION CONFERENCE.

Grey River Argus, Volume 57, Issue 10520, 26 January 1903, Page 3

THE ACCLIMATISATION CONFERENCE.

(o) (?UR FRESS ASSOCIATION.) "Wellington, Jan 23. At the Acclimabision Conference, on %h& moti'ja of the chairman it was resolved that it is desirable there should be a uniform rate for fiskiag licenses of each class throughout the colony. ?£t was decided that the fees for adults be 20s, women ss, boys ss, the societies to be empowered to issue half I reason licences at not less than 12s 6d. .No license to be issued except fer cash or for services rendered. In regard to licenses, the Conference resolved t ha t licenses for sh«otimg iw- ' ported and native game except deer • be issued at 20s aad power be obtained - for the societies to endorse licenses. > A propos al to recommend that s 3 gun tax be iatposed was withdrawn. r Tke objects of the Association wert agreed to be to further acclinatisatiox amd improve the management of accli matisation masters throughout Nev Zealand; t» poster and encouragi acclimatisation through the eecieties to represent and further the wishes © thi« societies and to assist the G overs n».< mt in farming t rod passing legislate©] for the furtherance of acclimatisatioi 'work. After disi mussing as ts the mod •f considering th Je rules and the coc stittation, it was decided t» refer th 3 { majority to a cc immittee. 1 Ib was agreed that the asseciatro 1 shall lie called the* JTew Zealand Accl:

matisation Association with its hea quarters at Wellington, and shall be composed of two members from each of the metrapolition societies and one from each of the other affiliated societies. A,H Shury moved that the netting of shales in the colony and the export of trout from rivers and lakes in New Zraland be absolutely prohibited, and that strong representations be made to the Government on the question. There was a general concensus of opinion that shale and export of trout would ruin fishing in the colony. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Begg moved that it be a recoinmeadadon to the societies with a viewto coping with the destruction of small birds, to introduce the owl, the Magpie, and the jay; but this was negatived. The Conference decided to ask the Government to instruct the police to assist in putting down poaching. It was lesolved that the opening of the season for shooting native and im ported game be uniform throughout the col«ny viz — from May Ist to July 31st. By a large majority it was decided that the owners of land only be allowed tj shoot free, and that the clause allowing the traasfer to a deputy be expunged from the act. The Conference adjourned at 10 p. m. until 2p.m. to morrow. „ Wellington, Jan-.24. The Acclimatisation Societies : Confereuce met again this afternoon. The question of netting trout ; was reopened, and on the m otion »d£ '-dr Ljwe the following resolution was carried unanimously : That the Conference desires' to point out to" the Government that tue work of the Acclimatisation Societies ia the introduction of trou j will in a very gce»at measure be destroyed and one of the greatest attractions to tourists done away with if netting is allowed ia lakes and at the mouth of the various rivers, as witness the recent operations at Lakes Wakatipu and Rotor ua. At the same time the Conference recognises the question of netting trout must loe dealt with, but strongiy urges upon the Government not to allow netting of any kind except after the fullest and under the strictest regulations and supervision ; and uf ter consultation with the local Acclimatisation Society. A resolution was also adopted in favor of port trout fishing being.prohi'oited on th^ recommendation of the Southland Society. The suggested amendment to the fisheries Act was passed prohibiting deleterious matter from any sawmill, (factory, tannery, felluiongery, £Uxmill, sheep dip, or boiling down digesi $er being deposited in streams.