Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1929, Page 3

Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society

COUNCIL METING

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3rd

The Council of the above Society met at the County Chambers at 7.3 J p.m. Present: Dr Tekhehuann (President), Messrs A. N. Baker, it. J. Appleton, E. /. Lloyd, Garnet Perry, R. Stuart, S. Godfrey, G. Kelly and D. J. Evans. Apologies- were received for Messrs H. -Wells, R. Paterson and A. C. Armstrong and leave of absence granted. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.

The outward correspondence .was read and approved.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE

•From Department of Internal Affairs notifying (1) application 'ey 11., Trevathan for pennision to destroy puiieko at Karangarua on account of damage being done, and (2) granting permission by warrant to destroy puiveko up to 24tli. October.—Received and approved. / Fro.ii same notifying the whitebaciied magpie was now protected.—> Received.

From same asking for annual repoits regarding native bird life in viie district, including particulars as to .increase or decrease, food supply and natural enemies.—Received and Mr Jederman to be asked to supply any particulars. ■From- District Engineer, Public •Works Department, stating ■ the ereo, tion of a shelter liut at Hans Bay,, Lake Kanieri, would be put in hand at aii early date:—Received. It was reported that the erection of the building would be put' ifi hand as soon as the carpenters were available. from General Post Office reporting 35 game licenses had been issued and remitting net fees £3l 10s to the credit of the Society.—Received. The Secretary stated there was an increase of nine licenses this year. From New Zealand Aclimatisation Societies’ Association, forwarding copy of annual balance sheet, and report of Central Fisii Research Committee regarding contributions from societies towards maintaining research work.— Received. The Secretary said the contribution asked for for research on the oasis of la.st year’s revenue would be £94. Mr Baker stated he -had not pledged the Society at the Conference. Mr Appleton thought opossum revenue should be used to increase the colonies of opossums in various parts of Westland. No action was taken on the matter.

From Otago Society forwarding account for brown trout ova, £34 4s.— Received and payment approved. From same, ’giving particulars of trappers’ reports on vermin in bush which were considered a menace to bird-life; the majority of the trappers caught stoats, ferrets, cats and rats.— Received with thanks.' The said Westland trappers had been ask : - ed to supply- similar information, but only two or three; had complied. It was resolved to make further enquiry, for particulars.-

From J. O’Brien, M.F., reporting regarding the probable lifting of the. ban against the liberation of opossums in various parts of Westland.—Received with thanks, and the proposed policy of the. Government approved. 1 From A. Cederman reporting ranging foi* the month of August, and appreciating the assistance' he had been given bv the Society and its officials.— Received and satisfaction expressed at the diligent manner in which the duties of Ranger were discharged. From Eric James, Dunedin, notifying intention of undertaking a lecturing four/in the North Island to advertise South Westland, and asking support.—Received. The Secretary stated'he had., .written to various organisations commending the, intentions of Mr James to their favourable attention. ~ . . . .... , ' From ..Houston and Co. notifying purchase 0f...4354 .opossum skins from August ...Ist to, 22nd. and the payment of ,£2l7b 14s Od royalty.—Received." . From J. ; Forbes Christchurch, making suggestions regarding stalking .blocks in ~the .Haast district, for next season.—Received; .with thanks. ; to the amount,of £Bl 2s 9d were passed for payment. ANNUAL ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE. / Mr A. M. Baker (Vice-President) who attended the Annual Conference of the Associated .Societies of New Zealand at Wellington last month, reported that all the remits sent forward by the Westland Society regarding opossum trapping had been approved. .The number of traps to be handled by a single trapper '{were fixed at 120. Regarding: the pollution of streams, Mr Bafegffjhad, explained to the meeting . thatjithe tapidlj’j running, local streams, quickly, washed * out', thej sawdust, which in any!case was, .not.harmful to trout.. The 'proposed-.increasein fines for depositing sawdust- in'"streams was not i agreed t o. at the Conference. MiBaker added that Mr Beck (President of the Grey District Society) informed the Conference that any - restrictions relating to the pollution of streams with sawdust, would hamper seridusly about forty sawmills in the Grey, district, and on account of. the rapid nature of the rivers of the West Coast, the sawdust was quickly carried out to sea and trout were not affected. In regard to the whitebait industry, Mr Baker said tne season should not be 'restricted, and allotment of- trapping 'blocks was considered advisable for longer periods than proposed, Mr Baker

added/ffhat tj.lo opossum regulations affecting condition for further liberation would be issued in about six time. .

The Chairman moved that a vote pjj thanks be accorded Mr Baker j for fyis attendance at the Conference and tijq report supplied. Mr. Perry seconded. —Carried.

Mr Perry moved that Mr Hope (Canterbury Curator) be written to, askiijg for information regarding the musk rat. This was agreed to. The meeting concluded at 8.25 o’clock. t.