Acclimatisation Interests

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7193, 27 June 1933, Page 5

Acclimatisation Interests

FEILDING SOCIETY MEETS. The council of tho Feildiug and District Acclimatisation Society met last evening, Mr. F. H. Stockwell (president) presiding. There were also present: Messrs. P. P. Stevens, E. Ingram, D. G. Fraser, J. Hurdle, T. Burne, C. Jepson, C. Wickham (secretary), G. Lintott and N. Bosoman. Mr. Stockwell was unanimously reolectcd chairman and in returning thanks said that ho had been chairman of the Feildiug Society for 19 years and had made up his mind to withdraw. However, since* it was tho wish of the meeting that lie should serve another term, he was happy to comply with the members’ wishes. The year ahead was going to be a difficult one—it certainly looked as though the society was likely to bo iuvolved in a very bitter light regarding its identity. He would refer to that question later and in the meantime would extend a cordial welcome to the new members of tho council, Messrs. G. Lintott and N. Kosoman. Tho council had been very fortunate throughout its life in its members and was indeed a happy family. The speaker regretted that Mr. B. E. Durrant had not been available to continue his good work on behalf of the society and Mr. Stockwell hoped that ou some future occasion Mr. Durrant would be available again. There was no doubt that Mr. Durrant had been a great help to the society, the speaker referring to the practical interest he had taken in the establishment of the holding ponds. Concluding, Mr. Stockwell said it was a pleasure to have new members on the* council for they invariably brought with them fresh ideas. The correspondence dealt with included the receipt of authorities from the Minister of Internal Affairs for the destruction of pukeko in the Makino district, -where settlers were having their crops damaged by this native fowl.

Authority was also received from the Minister of Affairs for tho destruction of opossums on the property* of Mr. W. Eayworth at Stanway where this wild life was reported to be damaging mangel crops. Members expressed the utmost satisfaction on the receipt of a letter from the Wanganui Society intimating willingness to reciprocate in the matter of endorsing game licenses issued by the Feildiug district to enable sportsmen to operate in the Wanganui district. The Wanganui Society advised that it had a similar arrangement with a number of other societies and would be happy to agree with the Feilding Society to reciprocate to the extent of ten licenses a year. Tho meeting, in receiving the letter, was pleased to fall in with the suggestion.

Discussing the amount to be expended on the purchase of game during the current year, members suggested that more should bo spent upon purchasing Afallard ducks instead of pheasants. A suggestion that the society might experiment with marsh snipe was not favoured for the reason that tho bird was difficult to acclimatise. Eeverting to the matter of Afallard duck, members felt that efforts should be made to either purchase- sittings of eggs and failing that birds. It was resolved to write to tho game farm at Paraparaumu for information ancl if possible, a supply of eggs. It was further agreed to expend £IS OTi pheasants :in the meantime, any further expenditure to depend upon the result of the enquiry regarding Afallard duck.

It was decided to place an order for 7000 rainbow and 700 brown trout fry for restocking the local rivers and streams.