ACCLIMATISATION

Northern Advocate, 22 April 1929, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION

j WHANG A R.EI ROCTETY. | | i ANNUAL MELTING. | Then 1 Avas an enthusiastic gathering [ of 41) members of tlio Wlia.ng.aroi Acclimatisation ,Society, at the annual mooting, hold in the County Council Chain hors last evening. The president, Mr H. W. James, presented his annual report as folloAvs: “Once again it has fallen to my lot to give you an account of the working of your council for the last twelAm months. Finance.—By the balance-sheet you have before you, you will see that the society is again in a sound financial j position, although there is no large balance being built up. The council adopted the practice of keeping its expenditure as near as possible within the limits of each year’s revenue, and pro Abiding for all expenses up to the end of each season, and so long as this course is folloAvod financial matters must run smoothly. Birds.—During 1928 there Avere 230 pheasants liberated in different parts of the district. The number will be j somcAvhat smaller this year, but is so on account of our liberating so large a number the previous year. There are

150 on order from Mr Parkin, Jr., to be liberated at the close of the coming season. There have also been a number of partridges liberated in the Maunu district. To afford suitable protection for these birds an area extending a mile in radius from the farm has been closed for this season, and I Avould like to take this opportunity of appealing to any sportsmen shooting on. the boundaries of this area to play the game and not to destroy any of these birds should they happen to come across them, as the successful establishing of partridges in our district Avill mean good sport in later years. The curator reports that some of the birds have paired up, which, is a good indication of successful breeding next year.

“Fish.—You 'will note by the balance sheet there has been a largo increase in the number of fishing licenses taken out this season, and from reports to hand there arc several streams holding trout in our district, although they could not be called plentiful. Experienced fishermen report that the fry which were liberated lavo years ago have done exceedingly well, particularly in the Kaimamaku stream. This is a matter Avhieh I consider should receive more attention from the council in the future, as a. few pounds spent on fry during the next few years Avould mean reasonably good sport for fishermen and a good source of revenue for the society, I am pleased to report that your council has set aside £25 for this purpose this coming season.

“Vermin.—• Seven hundred odd pairs of hawks’ legs have been purchased this year. The number is a large de-

crease on the previous, year, and X sincerely hope that this is an indication that the pests are becoming fewer. Most of them have been secured through the schools competition, which has again proved successful, and I hope the incoming council will see fit to contimio this practice. I again appeal to sportsmen to show as little mercy as possible to wild eats, etc., to enable the young birds to be saved. It is said to be bad luck to kill a cat. It is good luck for a sportsman. Try it.

“Various (Matters. —The number of licenses taken out last year av.-is five hundred and eighty. This is a very satisfactory number. I am hoping to reach the 000 mark this year, and I Avould ask the members to assist in this direction by insisting that all who think it Avoftli while to have a shot'' should pay in their annual donation to assist in providing better sport. I regret to state that there are already a number of reports to hand of illegal shooting going on. To my mind, the man avlio cannot Avail until tlic Ist of May to give everyone a fair chance lias as little sporting instinct in him as it is possible to find in any human being. I hope anyone knowing of any cases of this kind will not hesitate to come forward with the information. All true sportsmen Avould appreciate such action. The season has been a good one for young birds, an,d little burning off has been done Inis should also be in their favour. There are reports in of birds being plentiful in most districts. The

council has again decided on a two months’ season for pheasants and three months for grey duck. The Minister has granted ns a month for teal duck, but has seen fit to close the season for pukeko.

Conclusion.—ln conclusion, 1 wish to thank the members of the council for their loyal support during rhe year. The attendances ivcre all that could bo desired, very few mootings opening with less than Ift members, and often there Avas in attendance a full council wilh delegates. It is to be noticed that one country member has attended

for two years without missing a meeting. All have worked in the Lost in forests of the society, and 1 sincerely hope that those councillors who are again offering you their services will get the support they deserve. , I would also like to thank those settlers, throughout the district who arc liberating and protecting birds on their farms. Finally, I take the opportunity of Avishing all sportsmen the best of luck during the coming season, and hope that they Avill got a bumper bag on the Ist of MaA r . ”

The report and balance sheet were adopted.