WITH ROD AND GUN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17754, 13 April 1921, Page 8

WITH ROD AND GUN.

.ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES.

Tho annual meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society wao held last evening, the president, Mr. B, Reynolds, presiding.

The annual report of the council stated that the 15 ParadißO ducks given by the Southland 'Society arrived in splendid condition, and were liberated on the Roto Aira Lake, in tho Tongariro National Park. Tho new stock of pheasants that "came from England, per Mr Andrew Dobson, wer e acclimatising well, and should improve tho stock here. During tho year, wild rice artd millet seeds had been imported and distributed throughout tlie whole district, and reports stated that tho latter was growing well. The society had completed tho purchase of five acres at Cambridge (known as Carter's), and had thoroughly renovated ILe curator's residence.

Owing to tho shortaso of funds, tho society had been unable to do anything with regard to the destruption of hawks. However, the sub-societica had reported good work in this connection. Tho conference hold at Wellington in August last decided that hawks bo paid fdr at per "two feet," instead of per "beak," owing to the disagreeable odour of the latter. The conference had voted £150, to be used for importing garoo birds. The vicepresident of the conference, Mr. C. A. | Whitney, was deputed, with Mr. Stead, of Christchurch, to decide what birds should bo importod and liberated. Theso gentlemen had decided that half should go to Tongariro National Park, North Island, and half to the South Island. A large number of pheasants had escaped .from tho gamo farm at Cambridge, therefore there should bo good shooting in that district. The council was much surprised that only 19 gamo and fifihing'licenses were issued at Cambridge la3t year. During the season, egga of tho grey gooso wore placed under swans on the Waikato lakes, and latest reports stated that tho young birds were flying well, and tho experiment seemed to,be a pronounced success. Next year tho society would endeavour to extend its operations in this direction. Quail Plentiful. Tho sub-societies were all doing good work, and reported that' game was increasing in most districts, quail being plentiful in several parts. JTho stubble quail, liberated in 1919, were reported to be doing well, but it was not considered advisable to have an open season for shootine them this year. A good shooting season was anticipated. The"society would welcome the formation of other branches in suitable localities.

The allocation of trout fry in 1920. was as follows:—Te Kuiti, 50.000; Taumarunui, 100,000; Thames, 25,000 j Morrinsville, 10,000; Putaruru, 10,000; Cambridge, 10,000; Te Awamutu, 10,000; Otorohangay 20,000; Paeroa, 25,p00j Huntlv, 20,000; Papakura and Pukekohe, 30,000"; 'Hamilton, 20,000; Ohinewai. 20,000; Matamata, 50,000; Takapuna, 20.000; Ohura, 5000; total, 425,000. The liberation ol" pheasants in 1921 was:—King Country, 150; Thames, 50; Tuakau, 50; Eden' (Waitakere Ranges), 100; Huntly, 50; Taumarunui. 100; Papalura, 100; Ohinewai, 25; Morrinsville, 10; total, "635. A movement was on foot to add a branch t6 the society dealing with flora. Those interested were .represented by Messrs. F. E. Rollett and J. W. Poynton. The council welcomed this addition to the society, particularly as the rules need no (Iteration, and the work could be carried on by a'special council, apart altogether from the Gamo and Fish Council. The retiring members gf tho council, Messrg. B. Grayson, C. H. Culpan, C. E. Hardley, and J. Cnllen, wer o re-elected, as was the auditor, Mr. W, J. A. Thompson. • Combined Effort Advocated.

In tho course of his address, the president said the past year flad been a very difficult one. Pheasant feed had s cost so much that it had been a most expensive matter to keep the society's birds fed. He urged the imperative necessity of a combined effort being made by the combined societies and' the Government, It was absolutely impossible to have the hawk and the pheasant too, because the ,hawk came out on top every time. It had cleared the partridges out of the Waikato. He mentioned that the head of the Forestry Department, Captain Ellis, was in full sympathy with the society's aims, and had promised te help it, so it was gradually paving tho way to a more successful career.

Mr. Hayward expressed the opinion that rabbit poison was causing a number of deaths among pheasants. The president remarked that rabbits should not bo poisoned but trapped, ■AftT some discussion a motion was carried recommending the council to take up a propaßanda campaign for the destruction of hawks, in so far as tho funds admitted; and that the kindred societies bo asked to support tho propaganda. A motion in favour of the alteration of the opening of tho curlew season to February 1 from January 1, as at present, was lost. * I