Acclimatisation Society Meets

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7192, 26 June 1933, Page 10

Acclimatisation Society Meets

VISIT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS A meeting of tho Manawatu subcommittee of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society was held on Saturday evening, Mr E. G. Matthews presiding. Also present were Messrs P. Elsmorc (secretary), K. Thorburn, W. H. Seward, R. W. Priest, D. A. Scott, A. H. Marshall, W. Puklowski, N. G. Ingram, E. T. Jonas, E. E. Ward, W. E.Ward, C. Page, W. Procter, R, W. Procter and T Andrews (ranger). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. H. Iloskings and N. A. Palmer. By special invitation several members of the council of tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society were present, and their contributions to the discussions of tho evening proved most helpful. Those who made the trip were Messrs W. J. Haase, R. 11. Nimmo and A. Caldwell. They were accompanied by Mr W. JV Phillipps, of tho Dominion Museum. At the outset of the meeting Mr 1 Haase apologised for the unavoidable absence of Dr G. F. Ranson, president of the council, who takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the 1 society’s work, and Mr E. J. C. Wiffin, the secretary to tho society. Mr W. R. Barron, inspector to the, Manawatu Rabbit Board, advised that any restrictions in regard to shooting ; in the board’s area wero regulations applying solely to rabbits, and were always in force. Sportsmen must obtain the permission of property owners. The board was at the present . time carrying out extensive Tabbitpoisoning operations, and if shooting was carried on no effective poisoning could be done. The writer further pointed out that under the Rabbit ■ Nuisance Act any persons who with--1 out consent trespassed for the apparent purpose of shooting rabbits wero liable to a fine of £lO. In addition, . anyone convicted of destroying rabbits without permission was liable to be penalised to the extent of £25, or three mouths’ imprisonment. One member commented that it appeared hard that it was unlawful io shoot rabbits in spite of tho fact that they were pests. —Tho letteT was received. The Wellington society wrote thanking the local committee for its interesting report, and advised that recomi mendations ivith regard to the game ; shooting season -would be given consid- . eration.

A detailed report, of tho business transacted at the recent meeting of the council of tho Wellington society was also read, and proved of considerable interest. District Licences In reply to a question by Mr Priest, tho chairman said that as far as he knew no action had been taken in regard to district licences. Mr Nimmo also made some comment on the subject, giving it as his opinion that; the time was not opportune to extend tho operation of district licences. Tho chairman stated that there was no doubt that the whole question of granting the licences was ono that required immediate consideration. Members suggested that the granting of such licences would create boundary difficulties in many localities. Several instances were given, and one member declared that fishermen would be compelled to use a short line in some bouudary streams if: the suggested scheme was put into operation. Mr Haase said that the original suggestion was put forward to safeguard profitable districts. Some fishermen from areas where the sport was none too good were making a practice of crossing to well-stocked rivers in other districts. It was to obviate such a practice that the scheme was put forward.

Conserving Game Speaking of tlie need for game conservation, Mr Nimmo, chairman of the game committee of the parent society, said the time had come for making somo definite step in regard to preserving game. The advance of modern transport, with the consequent draining of many areas, had had the result of confining game to a few large watersheets. However, the position had become so acute that the society was faced with the need for making some prohibitions. Several property owners in the Wairarapa had commented that tlio position was serious, and the scarcity of game most alarming. These men had indicated that unless some steps for conservation were taken by the society they would be compelled to close their properties to sportsmen. The institution of a closo season would give rise to many difficulties, not least of which which was the revenue consideration. However, it was imperative to take some definite steps in the matter. The society was fully alive to the urgency of the position. “If we do not make somo move we are going to wake up and find we have nothing to shoot, and nothing to pay a game licence for,” concluded Mr Nimmo. Distributing the Mallard Duck

Some discussion ensued on tho possibilities of a wider distribution of the mallard duck for sporting purposes. Mr Nimmo referred to the fact that 25 pairs of mallards wero at present held by Ranger Andrews for the society, and it was hoped to liberate them over as wide an area as possible. Speaking of the value of the mallard to sportsmen, Mr Andrews said the bird was at least the equal of the grey duck, and made excellent sport. There was no fear of them crossing with the greys and spoiling the latter breed. Tho mallards wero also prolific breeders and if given liberty would in a few years be a numerous and accessible game bird, definitely

superior to tlic pheasant, which was an "expensive luxury. *’ The meeting agreed that an increased liberation of mallards would help to overcome the dearth of game, and should bo encouraged as much as posible. The ranger reported on trapping operations, and stated that approximately 700 fish were now in confinement, and two strippings had occurred, netting about 200,000 eggs. Tish Research For the benefit of the meeting Mr Phillipps, who is a member of the scientific staff of the Dominion Museum, traversed at some length the development of fish research in recent years. Several phases of the work wore dealt with, including the forwarding of reports to the International Institute of Timnologv, the preservation of less-lcnown native inhabitants of our streams, and the eradication of pests and vermin. Mr Phillipps also described the liberation of the gambusia, or topminnow, introduced a few years ago from Hawaii. The fish was proving of considerable service in destroying the mosquito larvae. Warm appreciation of the excellent work being done by Mr Phillipps for the society in an honorary capacity was voiced by MrNimmo, who said the work of fish research and investigation was one of increasing value. What the Society Is Doing

Mr Haase expressed warm thanks to the sub-committee for the invitation extended them to attend the meeting. The work of trapping being carried on by the branch was recognised by council members as being most valuable-, and tko fact that they were obtaining supplies of ova within their own boundaries was a cause for congratulation, as it represented a considerable saving to the society. The various recommendations forwarded from the Manawatu were always appreciated on the council. Mr Haase proceeded to touch on several matters affecting the activities of the Wellington society. He mentioned that every effort was being made to exterminate vermin for the benefit of opossum trappers, and tho trappers themselves were doing a lot in this direction. The work of the rangers working for tho society was of the utmost value, and it was impossible to extol liteir services too highly. They were proving most efficient in maintaining a service for the preservation of wild life, a scrvico not attempted by any other society in New Zealand. “A hearty vote of thanks to the Wellington visitors was passed on the motion of Mr Elsmorc.