Feilding Acclimatisation Society

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7470, 22 May 1934, Page 3

Feilding Acclimatisation Society

ANNUM., REPORT, Tho annual report of tho Foilfling and District Acclimatisation ,Socicf3 r records a successful year with the society in a sound financial position. Owing to climatic conditions .fishing has been somewhat patchy throughout, the season. In the early part of the season some exceptionally fine bags were taken, comparing favourably with previous years, both in regard to numbers and weight. Rater oil in the season the fish became very shy and in spite of the fact that plenty of fish were to be seen in all the streams anglers found it very difficult to entice 'the fish to take the lures. The Oroua produced good baskets on both fly ana minnow before Christmas, but of late it has been hard to obtain such goou results. The rainbow has not shown up to the same extent as last season. The Pohangina has fished well up to the average of previous seasons, exceptionally largo fish having been taken in the higher readies in the early part of the season, including a fair number of rainbow. Tho Eangitikci has been disappointing as compared with last season, despite the fact that it has been well stocked and numerous good fish have been seen lately. The streams in the vicinity of Eangiwahia have given good sport to the anglers in that district, the brown trout being predominant. There has been a considerable amount of pollution going on in the Oroua river ni.d drastic steps arc now being taken in conjunction with the Wellington Society to obviate this nuisance. Tlic society purchased 11,000 rainbow and 7000 brawn fry which arrived in fine condition and were placed In the society's holding ponds. These fish thrived exceedingly well and achieved a length of from four to six indies before liberation, which is very crcditnl 0 to the work of the honorary curator, Mr. .1. Hurdle. The fish wore liberated in the streams'of the district as follows: Eangitikci, 6500; Oroua, 7500; Pohangina, 4000; Eangiwalua distiict, 3000. The holding ponds have proved to be a wonderful asset- to the society, enabling it to distribute a number of fingorlings at such a low cost and practically no mortality. The shooting season opened well, several limit bags being reported by duck shooters, and prospects for this year appear to be very bright. To provide better sport for the shooting men, the council, during the year, went into tiio question of raising Mallard ducks and decided to obtain birds for breeding, purposes. Several clutches were reared and distributed in suitable surroundings throughout the district. More extensive stocking is anticipated during the coming year. Pheasants arc increasing without a doubt and should provide a fair amount of sport during the coining season. The Mangaone Block is still closed to shooting and the birds hero arc becoming well established. Quail have provided better sport than for many previous seasons and arc still reported to be increasing. Tdconso holders must remember that it is necessary to procure the landowners’ consent before entering upon private property. AVo might say that in this connection the landowners have been most generous to license holders. lift? pheasants were purchased and a further seventy were, reared by supporters of the society and liberated in the mosr suitable parts of tho district. Panning as usual has been carried out by the society's honorary rangers, and the thanks of the society nrc due to these gentlemen for the work they have clone. Poaching, while it stilt exist:-:, has been less than in former years, a state of affairs due almost wholly to the activities of the honorary rangers. The society paid £1 5s Od for shags feet during the year, -12 shags having been accounted for. The society has applied for an open season for the taking of opossums..-The probable opening date will bo July -0 m.l closing August 31. It is well to note that this society lias never had an open season for opossums, and being virgin country should show good returns to trappers. Foremost amongst the society’s objects is the protection and preservation of our native birds, ft should be remembered that New Zealand had a greater variety or bird iifo than any country in the world, but through carelessness, wanton destruction and failure to preserve sufficient forest areas the native bird population is fast disappearing. The council carucstlv the co-operation of all sportsmen in protecting our native birds, and any information regarding offences in this direction will be welcomed, and endeavours made to punish the offender. Those members of the council and all others who assisted in the liberation of game and fish arc again accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. AVo ha.c also to thank the Police Department for their valuable help in administering the regulations and the Press for giving prominence to matters of general inter-

cst. The thanks of the council arc due to the sub-committee at Eangiwalna for their valuable assistance in the work in this district.