WITH ROD AND GUN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18680, 9 April 1924, Page 11

WITH ROD AND GUN.

FISH, PHEASANTS, DUCKS. AUCKLAND ACCLIMATISATION, WORK OF THE SOCIETY* i _____ ______ PLEA FOR GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP. Keen interest in the work of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was manifested last night at its annual meeting. Fifty members and supporters were in attendance, and alert attention was given to many questions affecting sport with rod and gun. Mr. H. H. Ostler, who last year had experience of big game shooting in Africa, presided, and aroused enthusiasm with a plea for the encouragement of true sportsmanship in New Zealand in respect of game. Activities of the society during the past year were reviewed in the 56th annual report. Special reference was made to the acquisition of a fine area at Pukekohe for a game farm. Although only yearling hen pheasants were used, between 500 and 600 birds were produced and available for distribution this year. This result was not up to the council's expectations, but it was recognised that the curator had to overcome great difficulties. It was thought that the average cost of the birds reared was too high. The council saw no reason why 2000 birds should not be turned out next season.

Importations From Abroad. The society this season had purchased from private breeders some 800 wellgrown pheasants, most of these having already been liberated within its district. The former game farm was sold privately for £440 cash. Thirty-eight of a consignment of Mongolian and black-neck pheasants to Auckland from an English breeder are now doing very well. The report also mentioned that Hungarian and red-legged partridges had been imported from England, 178 out of a consignment of 207 being landed alive at Wellington last February. These were very fine birds, and those ordered by the Feilding and Whangarei societies had been forwarded to the respective localities. It was proposed to attempt breeding from selected pairs. -4$ regards the stocking of rivers with fis'h, 465,000 fry had been liberated in the numerous rivers and streams within the society's district. The number of fishing licenses sold last season was nearly 900, and the council hoped to see an increase for the coming season. Reports from the country showed that hawks had been decreased to a considerable extent. For the year ended March 31 last the society had paid for 15,200 hawks' feet. As regards poaching, it was becoming increasingly evident that the ranging of the district was still inadequate. The reward had been doubled as an inducement to prosecution of poachers.

Game Farm at- Pukekohe. The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said the attenance demonstrated the keen interest taken in the work and purposes of the society. The balance-sheet, disclosing a revenue of over £3000, revealed the society's flourishing condition. Since his return from a trip abroad he had inspected the new game farm at Pukekohe, and it certainly appeared to be an admirable site for the purposes. It was essential for the society to encourage true sportsmanship as regards game birds, unless the society was content to play a losing game. Auckland was the only province in which there was still a large number of pheasants, and these were steadily decreasing. In seconding the motion, the vice-presi-dent, Mr. C. A. Whitney, said he would donate £25 toward the cost of importing more partridges. The following retiring members of the council were re-elected: —Messrs. J. C. Whitney, J. Cullen, B. Noaks, and Dr. Chatfield. The auditor, Mr. W. T. A. Thomson, was reappointed. In view of the great number of pukaki throughout the Auckland province, it was resolved unaimously <to ask the Government to declare an open season for pukaki shooting this year. Several matters relating to poaching, membership, and the encouragement of the rearing of pheasants on farms were discussed as suggestions for the consideration of the council.