Acclimatisation Grey Society’s Annual Report

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1947, Page 7

Acclimatisation Grey Society’s Annual Report

The annual report of the society is as follows’:— The income for the year amounted to £396 Is 6d compared with £406 9s Id for the previous year. Expenditure amounted to £242 18s 9d, leaving an excess of income over expenditure of £153 2s 9d, which, with an amount of £l5 14s 8d recovered from last year's expenditure and placed direct to 1 he accumulated fund, brings that balance to £1153 10s lOd. A comparison of some of the various items during the past four years is set out hereunder: — Fishing licenses: 43-44, £l4l 10s; 44-45, £153 2s 6d; 45-46, £155 15s; 46-47, £199 15s. Game Licenses: 43-44 £46 10s; 44-45 £93 10s 9d; 45-46 £164 15s: 46-47 £llB 10s. Fines: 44-45 £33 3s 7d; 45-’46 £2. Opossum grants; 43-44 £l2B 5s 2d; 44-45 £27 6s 7d; 45-46 £7O 18s sd; 46-47 £62 16s Id. Sundries 43-44 £ll 6s 6d; 44-45 £7 2s 6d 45-46 £5 16s: 46-47 £3 3s 6d. The item vermin destruction consists mainly of the South Island Vermin Control Board levy 7 of 2/6 on each game license, and as this is collected from the shooters it should correctly be deducted from the gross revenue from shooting licenses. As this year the item includes certain other amounts, some of which are adjustable relating to the previous year's accounts, it has been considered desirable to show it separately as an item of expenditure. Fishing The season has again, on the whole, been a good one, particularly favourable weather having been experienced in the latter half of the season. As usual the Arnold river provided the best bags and proved consistent throughout the season. Lake Brunner again did not fish particularly well but the Haupiri appeared to be carrying" more fish than for some years past and some good catches were recorded there. The Grey wav not so consistently polluted by gold dredging activities as in previous years and as a result provided some good angling. The river remained clear on several occasions for some weeks at a time and better bags were obtained than for some years. An encouraging feature was the very large number of small fish seen in the Grey 7 at all times, particularly during the evening rise. As usual some very fine sea-run trout in excellent condition were landed below the bridge. The Milner-Bennington Shield was won by Mr I. Curtis with a fish of 1111 b which was taken from this stretch. Stocking and Preservation The council was again unable _to obtain fis'h or ova for re-stocking and the research officers of the Marine Department did not find it possible to make their promised visit to this district. They have, however, indicated that a hand-book is being published which deals with most of .the problems of fisheries management with which societies are faced, and that their recommendations are that strict attention be given to the following priority measures: — (1) The protection of stocks during the spawning season.

(2) The control of predators, especially in nursery waters. (3) The salvaging of fish in waters which have become affected by a drought, rather than expenditure of funds on hatchery work etc. The council endeavoured to carry out these recommendations, and it is believed they did so, with good results. There was £l5 16s paid as bonuses on shag heads, and, in addition £6 17s Id was expended on eel destruction. The amount was expended mainly on advertising an appeal to fishermen in conjunction with eel canning operations in Hokitika. Unfortunately, in spite of prior enquiries by the council, no notice was given the society of the organisation’s intention to can eels at Hokitika, so that insufficient time was available in which to secure materials and labour for the making of eel traps for fishermen. Only four of the society’s traps were in use at the conclusion of the season, and it is to be hoped that should canning operations continue next season, sufficient notice will be given to the society to enable an extensive campaign to be prepared. The drought experienced in February, March and early April resulted in many fish becoming stranded and the council employed Mr J. Henry on salvage operations. He was successful in saving approximately 1500 fish and the society’s thanks are due to time for his excellent work. Game: The revenue from game licenses returned to Its normal level after the large increase for the previous season and this was no doubt due to the disappointing season experienced in 1945. The 1946 season was again a poor one, the best bags being obtained in the Grey Valley, with some fair ones in the Lakes area during the opening week. At the date of this report the 1947 season is in full swing and early reports indicated a somewhat better opening than in the previous year. The Department of Internal Affairs has undertaken a survey of the grey duck population and an investigation into its feeding grounds and habits but it is not anticipated that such investigation will result in immediate and concrete solution to the problems confronting societies in this connection. The Department has recommended that in the meantime any available funds' might well be spent on such matters as: Increased ranging; investigations as to the possibility of building ponds to provide suitable* feeding grounds; and the fencing of suitable lagoons or lakes to protect the grounds from cattle. f Oppossums: With the reduction in license fees and the removal of certain irksum obligations imposed on the trapper, there was a large increase in the number of licenses and permits issued in this district 'this season. Unfortunately the expected high prices did not materialise and the results were a big disappointment to trappers. Since the closing of the season the proposals- put forward by by the Acclimatisation Societies have been accepted by the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs and the Opossum Regulations 1947 have the effect of permitting the taking and killing of oppossums at' any time without license either by trapping or shooting, but not by any other method.

Ranging: The ranging committee has had a most difficult year, the transport problem, with the wide range of territory to be covered was most troublesome, The committee

was, however, fortunate in securing the services of a paid ranger, with his car for a period of one month m June last and though he was not successful in apprehending any of the poachers, his presence in the district was a decided discouragement to such persons’ activities. Thanks are again due to the police for their assistance during the year. Administrative: Four meetings of the council of South Island Acclimatisation Societies were held during the year and the the Greymouth society was represented at two meetings by Mr G. F. Poole and the othei* two by Mr G. E. Logie. Meetings of the South Island Vermin Control Board have been held in conjunction with the South Island council meetings. The society has on behalf of the board distributed during the year £25 by way of bonuses on stoats’ tails, representing a destruction of 200 of these vermin, and 4s 4d only as bonuses on Hawke’s feet. The bounty on the latter has recently been increased from 3d to 6d per pair and the bounty on s-toats is now payable only on production of the whole skin not merely that of the tail as formerly. The Fresh Water Fisheries Advisory Council has been formed and the South Island is represented thereon by Mr G. R. Pomfret-Dodd of Christchurch and Mr J. L. Robertson of Southland. To date two meetings have been held and a full report issued to societies. In addition several -•equests to societies for information have been made, notably data regarding river pollution. On the resignation of Mr G. F. Poole as president, it was decided not to convene a special general meeting but to carry on until the annual general meeting with a chairman of the council. I had the honour to be elected to that position. Alterations to rules.—lt has been agreed by societies to incorporate in their rules- a clause dealing with contracts with members. It is felt that the whole of this society’s rules should be revised and the only matter holding up the proceedure is that of a satisfactory definition of the new boundary agreed on with the Buller society. Valedictory: In January last, our president. Mi- G. F. Poole, was transferred from the district. Prior to hi." departure, Mr Poole was farewelled by the council and a presentation made to him in appreciation of the splendid services he had rendered to this society. His resignation was a decided loss to the council. Obituary: The council, and the society as a whole, suffered a very sad loss during the year- in the death of Dr. Wm. McKay, the oldest member of the council and one with a wide knowledge and experience of all acclimatisation matters, but known particularly as an authority on New Zealand bird life. His presence at council meetings is greatly missed - for his advice was always sought by members. To his relatives I extend the society’s deepest sympathy. General: Attendances' at council meetings have been very good. One vacancy occurred during the year and Mr J. F. Osmers was appointed to fill same. In conclusion, I express my thanks, to members of the out-going counci 1 for the co-operation given me during the time I have acted as their chairman to all those who have assisted the society with reports, and to the press- for the pace devoted to the society’s affairs, (signed), H. Roberts, Chairman.