ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13725, 15 April 1908, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, held yesterday afternoon, was attended by the president (Mr. E. W. Payton) and Messrs K. Horton, E. Anderson, B. Grayson, and H. C. Chirk. Finance: The*secretary reported that the income during the month had been £59 4s, and the expenditure £58 9s sd. leaving a balance in the bank of £245 7s lid. Selling Licenses: The secretary of the Thames Game Preservation Society wrote asking if there was any probability of soiling licenses being issued this year. and. if bo, requesting the Auckland Society's co-opera-tion in preventing the issue of the same, as such meant the extinguishing of practically all sport in the district. The secretary reported that he had replied that the society had already recommended that no gameselling licenses be issued this year. Illicit Shooting: Constable Rock, of Huntly, reported that from inquiries lie had made no illicit shooting of birds had taken place at Luke Waikare. The Game Committee reported that, with i.he view of checking illicit shooting in the lover Waikato and other districts during the period between Easter and the commencement of ;he game, season, they had mad" the follow arrangements:—(l) In reply to a communication to the Inspector of Polite, they had been informed that all constables had been instructed to do all in their power to check poaching. (2) Two honorary rangers—one resident at Ohinewai and the other at Kan.giriri—had been appointed and furnished -with the necessary authority to act. (3) An extra travelling ranger had been appointed, and he and Mr. Spratt would move rapidly from place to place during the next four weeks, making surprise visits to those localities whsre poaching was likely to take place. Arrangements had been made for the use of a steam launch on the Waikato River, in the same manner as adopted last season. The report ! was adopted.' ! Breeding of Pheasant;;: The Game Cum- i mitteo reported that they were considering i the question as to how far it waa advisable for the society to attempt the breeding of I nhei! ? auts for the purpose of restocking those I districts which had been more or less depleted of these bird?. The Southern societies had been applied to for particulars of the cost, ana several other sources of information wore also being drawn upon. The committer trusted to be able to submit a full report curing the next month. Distribution of Yearlings: The Fish Com- ' mittee reported that there were at least 50,000 yearling rainbow trout in the ponds. As it ! was necessary to start the distribution early in May, m order to have the whole liberated i Before the spawning season commences, the ! committee recommended that the following I liberations -authorised:-(1) Streams in Innn T? es Valle y = Waihou, 4000; Oroka, 4000: JUparapa. 4000; WaimakarH, 4000Pokaiwhenua, 4000; ponds at Okoroire Hotel', ?ffiri J A *S?ty 2000; Kauaeraoga River 1000. (2) Waikato and Waipa: Hamilton Anglers Club, 2000; Pu „ io 2000iTribl ,^!? of l PP«* r -, Waip^ Stony Creek* 1000; I t r keWa l ka «r?a»: Bake Whan gape WOO' n^ r a,,n^ ( t . awh,n ' 1000; -Mangatangi tOUO. (3) Localities near Auckland: Souther. Wa.roa 2000: Lake Takapuna, 2000; St ' John s Bake, 500; streams and lakes at Wat u\:n^ ; ?,' 500: Hot «° RiVer'lOOOV total. 44,500. (he report was adopted. Importation of Water Fowl: The question hi the importation of water fowl was raised by Mr. Anderson, and referred to the Game Committee for consideration. brini%S X f £°nference: [* was decided to j lung the following questions up for consideration at the next conference, of the acclimatisation societies, to be held in Weiment: (I The alteration of the Act prescribing mat a close season for native game should be observed every third year commencing in 1906: {?.) the introduction of 10s shooting license fees, available for a period of seven clays at any time during the shooting season; and (3) that the Government be asked to prepare a new edition of the various nonces respecting the protection of game that have been issued from time to time With regard to the first remit it was pointed out that observing a close season for native game every third year would inflict I a Hardship on the various societies, in that ! none of them would receive, any license fees and they would have to pay more in keeping rangers. * ° Special General Meeting: A requisition was received from 10 members of the society requesting the council to call a special general meeting of the society to consider the revision of the rules, especially with regard to the admission to membership. The date suggested for the meeting was April 22, at (.60 p.m. It was decided to accede to the request, but to hx the meeting for May 15 the date suggested being too near to the Easter holidays.