AUCKLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13226, 11 July 1906, Page 3

AUCKLAND ACCLIMATISA TION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was held last evening, there being present: Messrs. J. Buitt, E. Anderson, J. R. Bloom Held, E. Horton, E. W- Payton, G. 11. Bloonifield, C. A. Whitney, O. C. Wallace, W. H. Hazard, and Dr. T. Hope Lewis. In the absence of the president (Mr. F. Earl), the vicepresident (Mr. James Burtt) was voted to the chair.

Importation of Quail: The secretary (Mr. Cheeseman) stated that, as instructed at the last meetin;?, he had written to the Colonial Secretary in regard to obtaining permission to import Australian stubble quail and Chinese quail, this permission being made necessary by the Act. He had received a reply stating that the matter would receive consideration after inquiries had beeu made. It was decided to deter further action in the matter pending a reply from the Colonial Secretary. , ,

Tui Shooting at. Rotorua: Reports .were received from Sergeant Watt and the cierk of the Hotorua Court, in connection with the recent prosecutions for shooting tuis at Hotorua. It was stated that the total fines inflicted in four cases amounted to £6 fts and that the magistrate had directed that half of the fines should be paid to the .police officers who had initiated the prosecutions. It was stated that the tines had been paid into the Treasury and that they would be remitted to the society in due course. Some discussion took place as to whether the society should pay rewards for convictions in regard to native birds. It was eventually resolved 10 refer the matter to the Game Committee, with instructions to report fully on the matter at the next meeting. The Tarawera Trout: A report was received from Mr. H. . Spratt, chief ranger, in regard to the stranding of a number of trout on the banks of the Wairoa River, which runs into Lake Tarawera. The stranding was considered to be due to the falling of the river after floods, there not being sufficient water left to enable the fish to make their way up the stream. Mr. Spratt recommended that a new channel should be cut and that it should be protected by tea-tree wattling on each side. 'He said the cost would be considerable, but he suggested that this might be shared by the Tourist Department. After some discussion, it was decided to refer the matter to the Fish Committee and also to request the president (Mr. F. Earl), who is now in Wellington, to interview tho Tourist Department on the subject. . Rainbow Trout : The chief ranger reported that, as directed, he had liberated some 2000 yearling rainbow trout in the Rangitaiki River, at Galatea. He also stated that he understood a request would be made to the society for some rainbow trout fry for liberation in the upper reaches of the Whakatane River. It was resolved to request Mr. Grant, of Galatea, who has the matter in hand, to forward particulars of what is desired as early as possible. Lake Whangape: A letter was received from Mr. Marshall in regard to placing ordinary geese eggs in the swans' nests at Lake Whangape and to protecting the young birds till they were able to take care of themselves. The matter was referred to the Game Committee. Te Aroha Anglers' Club: The Te Aroha Anglers' Club wrote thanking the society for past assistance and stating that the rainbow trout liberated in the Thames River were doing well. The steps taken to prevent poaching were detailed, and it was also stated that measures would be adopted for the destruction of shags during the breeding season. It was mentioned that the number of licenses issued by the club last, season was 3*, as compared with 18 for the previous season. . Curator's Report: The monthly report of the curator stated that the spawning of the rainbow <rout waa well advanced and that nearly 200.000 eggs had been obtained to date. He had fitted up an additional temporary hatchery at Rotorua. Ths •'eying" of the eggs would be carried out at Rotorua and they would then be forwarded to the hatchery at Tirau for the final hatching.