Acclimatisation Societies Hold Annual Meeting

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1939, Page 9

Acclimatisation Societies Hold Annual Meeting

The annual general meeting of delegates to the Northland Acclimatisation Societies' Federation was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Saturday night. The chairman. Mr. J. W. Parkin, presided. The following delegates were present; Messrs. S. J. Snow, L. Dent, J. W. Parkin (WhangareD; E. Doel, T. J. V. Dunlop. C. L Cheeseman (Bay of Islands); W. R. Craig, J. O'Sullivan. J. Frew < Mangonui-Whangarca); S, P. Day. J. E. Eliiott, F. Izzard <Hobson). Mr. C. P. Butler, secretary, and Mr. C. Ericsson, secretary of the Hobson Acclimatisation Society, were also

present. Mr. Parkin apologised for the absence of the Mayor. Mr. W. Jones,

Mr. Snow, on behalf of the Whangarei Society, welcomed the delegates, and hoped the meeting would result in a better understanding of their problems.

! President's Report Mr. Parkin, in his annual report, said only one meeting had been held during this year. "I have, however, received a resolution on vermin control for a postal j ballot, which I dealt with, as it was I urgent, and was required back in Wellington before I had time to submit it for your approval. Another outstanding matter was the institution of a thirty shilling shooting license which again was decided by the Minister contrary to his statement to the North Island Council last year. I consider we can only carry on now that it has been put into operation, more particularly as I believe we now have sufficient breeders to supply our requirements. The reports cf the shooting season with regard to pheasants have not been 100 encouraging, and it may be necessary to investigate the position, and adopt some method of feeding birds to offset the gum on the grass in j the late summer, which I feel sure is causing a good deal of our Josses. On the other hand, the grey duck in the Whangarci district is increasing consistently. judging from reports.” Balance Sheet The balance sheet showed the following principal items Receipts: Levy, four societies at £lO, £4O; pheasant sales (Bay of Islands Society), £94; share of vermin, £l7. Expenditure: Purchase of pheasants, £94; salaries, £2O. A credit balance of £l4 was shown on the year's working, against a loss of 7/11 for the previous year. The report and balance sheet were approved and adopted. Officers The following officers were elected, in accordance with the rules of the Federation: Chairman, Mr. S. P. Day • Hobson), who then took the chair; vice-chairman, ]eft with the Mangonui Society to appoint from its members; secretary, Mr. C. Ericsson (Hobson); bon. auditor, left with the Hobson Society to appoint. i Frequency of Meetings A notice of motion that the Federation rescind the resolution that it meet once a year was brought forward by the Bay cf Islands Society. Mr. Dunlop, in moving it, said that with only one meeting a year, societies do not know exactly what is going on. and information is only obtained through hearsay. He thought a meeting once every three months could be held.

“If suspicions are going to arise, the vvhoic federation will collapse, and Auckland would no doubt like that to happen, so that we would come under their jurisdiction.” Mr. Dunlop said. Continuing, Mr. Dunlop said there was not that co-operation among the Northland societies that there should be. Certain societies were buying birds outside the federation and the Bay of Islands Society felt that the sooner the federation got back to the quarterlymeetings the better. Then the danger of coming under Auckland control would not be so great. Mr. O'Sullivan seconded the motion. Mr. Parkin: We had intended calling a meeting in November, as then we will have to discuss the question of an “open" season. Mr. Snow: It is the general opinion of our council that two meetings per year are sufficient. The chairman can call us together at any other time should urgent business crop up. The chairman (Mr. Day): I do not think four meetings per year arc warranted, although 1 think two quite a good idea. The motion was carried, and it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Snow, that, in addition to the annual meeting, another be held in November of each year, with the chairman empowered to call other meetings should they bo necessary. Decision of Tie On the motion of Mr. Snow, a remit from the Whangarei Society that in the event of a tic for a mai mai. preference be given to the holder the, previous season, was carried. Shooting of Pukeko A further ’emit from the Whangaro l . Society that the open season foi pukeko be at the end of the shooting season, was sponsored by Mr. Dent. Pic said that at the beginning of the season, pukokos are a nuisance, as all shooters are after pheasants, whereas in the last few weeks, sportsmen are only too glad to have a shot at anything. Mr. Elliott: 1 do not think that anyone would shoot pukekos *or sport,

but I think they arc only given for the benefit of new members to have something to shoot at. In my opinion. I think it would be wholesale slaughter to shoot pukekos during the breeding period at the end of the

season, Mr. Parkin: In this district, anyway. they breed ali the season. The remit was carried. Pheasants for Distribution The question of the buying of pheasants for distribution by the federation, was referred to. Mr. Butler said that the requirements for the year total 3600, while only 825 are at present in sight. Mr. Day; The Hobson Society is fostering breeding in the district, and lust year we obtained ali the birds we required. Since then wc have established another breeder. We arc going in for a policy of breeding in our own district.

Mr. Craig: We thought it wise to stay in the pooi. but wc have also established two breeders, and two

ethers are prepared to start. Mr. Day: One breeder stated, according to the "Advocate" report of the Whangarci Society's meeting, that for mature birds be would want this year £1 per head, while our breeders are quite satisfied with 15 -. Mr. Parkin: There is an ebb and flow of breeders. At one stage a breeder wanted ns to take mature birds off his hands at 6/6 per head, and pay out of the following year's revenue. With prices going up for birds. I think more birds will be bred, and another surplus created. Wc may. of course, get some relief from vermin control. We spend £4O to £69 per year, and if we got a refund for that, it will be some assistance. Mr. Day: The Minister threatens that he is' going to take the business over and establish game farms. If that happens, it would be interesting to see their figures and the cost of production.

Division of Pool On the motion of Mr. Snow, it was decided that the birds remaining in the pool bo divided between the Bay of Islands and’ Mangonui societies, according to a mutual arrangement. It was also decided, on the motion of Mr. Craig, that each society agree that it will not make any contracts for the supply of pheasants from any local breeder in any other society's district, or supplies specifically mentioned by any society, but that arrangements for birds outside the district be made through the pool. It was agreed to fix the levies for each society the same as last year, namely, £lO. Vermin Control Cn the motion of Mr. Parkin, who said he would like to see something further done with regard to vermin control, the following was carried: “That it be brought before the North Island Council that each society keep a separate vermin account, to which will be credited the 5/- levy on each license fee, as received. That the

amount to be paid in bonuses for the first season be left to the discretion of individual societies, or alternatively raised to 2 (1 for stoats and weasel tails, and 1 - for hawks’ legs.

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr, Snow, that automatic guns be pinned in such a manner that the pin cannot be removed.

Mr. Craig gave notice of motion for the next meeting of the federation that future meetings be held at Kaikohe, as being the most central point.

Delegates and officials were entertained to light refreshment at the conclusion of the meeting.