With Rod and Gun

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6865, 23 May 1932, Page 3

With Rod and Gun

FEILDING ACCLIMATISATION - SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of -the Feilding District Acclimatisation Society was held on Friday night, Mr. F. H. Stockwell presiding. Visitors were present from the Palmerston North branch. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the president stated that the society’s finances were in a sound position, although there was an adverse balance, due to non-recurring expenditure on account of the holding ponds. The ponds had more than proved the value of the expenditure incurred in their construction, for the society had actually liberated more fish than had been paid for. This was due to the percentage of normal losses being reduced to an absolute minimum. The society had a substantial sum in the savings bank, so that its finances had justified it in making the improvements. As a general policy, ctho establishment of the holding ponds was completely successful, as they were able to place the fish in the rivers in good condition, and the increased average weight in the fish caught had proved that the policy brought results. Probably the liberal food supplies in the rivers had also helped to provide good fish, but Mr. Stockwell maintained that by putting good fish into the rivers the society provided good sport.

Touching upon poaching, Mr. Stockwell sgiid theTe was still a good deal of this bad practice going on, and unfortunately when poachers were caught the fines imposed were not sufficiently heavy to act as a deterrent. The chairman appealed to members to act promptly with any poachers who came within their observation.

The shooting, Mr. Stockwoll said, was not as good as it might have been. The society had opened a couple of blocks that had' previously been closed, and this should provide more shooting. The poacher, the hedgehog, the stoat and the weasel were interfering with the sport, particularly the hedgehog, and Mr. Stockwoll recommended tho destruction of hedgehogs whenever possible. Mr. Stockwell went on to refer to the support ho had ‘received from members of the council, which had been of great help to him in his position as president. He referred to the departure of Mr. A. H. Marshall (secretary), whom they all regretted losing. Mr. Marshall had given very faithful and valuable service as secretary, and the council was very sorry when he found it necessary to tender his resignation. Mr. C. Wickham had been appointed secretary and was giving the council every satisfaction.

Tho following were elected to the council for the current year: Messrs. F. H. Stockwoll, E. Ingram. P. P. Stevens, E. H Lange, D. G. Eraser," T. Waugh, E. Meads, B. Durrant, J. Hurdle, T. Burne, W. J. Alpe and C. J. Wickham. Mr. Wickham was reappointed secretary and Mr. A. Ik Miers auditor. Votes of thanks were passed to the Borough Council, the honorary rangers, tho police and the press for help and courtesies.