FISH AND GAME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 14

FISH AND GAME.

LIBERATION OF PARTRIDGES. AUCKLAND SOCIETY'S DECISION. Tby XEr.EuiiAi'ir.—own cohkksvondent. ] THAMES. Friday The Auckland Acclimatisation Society met at Thames last evening, tho president, Mr. F, E. McKcnzie, presiding. Thero was a large attendance of delegates from tho Thames, Waihi and Paoroa subbranches.

Discussion look place on the wisdom of liberating partridges over largo areas, as against private breeding. Mr. McKcnzie said this question had given tho society a lot of worry. It had liberated 300 birds at Matamata, but they had disappeared in all directions, and could not now bo traced. The society was inclined to encourage privato breeding in the hopo of better results.

Mr. Glossing (Thames) said ho spok.e from long experience when ho said thero was not one man in New Zealand who could rear partridges. Ho asked for a liberal allocation to the Thames area. It was decided to allocate 50 brace of the Chukor variety to the Taringamutu Valley area, and 50 brace to the Thames, Waihi and Pacron districts.

Tho Morrinsville sub-branch askeil for (lie declaration of a closo season for liares. Tho suggestion was not favoured, and its rejection was unanimous. Mr. McKenzie said negotiations were progressing for tho liberation of opossums in tho Auckland district. Last year the Wellington Society had gained a revenue of £2OOO from this branch of sport. "Such a, revenue," ho said, '"would enable us to do a lot for Auckland sportsmen." Tho opening and closing dates for the opossum season were fixed at June 15 and July 31.

There was a lengthy discussion on the society's declared policy of gazetting dosed areas for pheasant breeding. Defending this policy, Mr. McKenzie said thousands of pounds had been wasted by tho profligate and indiscriminate liberation of birds in past years. Mr. (Messing asked for tho introduction of a fish and game licence enabling sports men to fish and shoot on one licence in all ureas

Mr. McKenzie said a similar suggestion made at tho Dominion conference had lapsed for want of a seconder.

Messrs. J. Hollinrake, Mahiihi, and C I'ayze, Mntamata, were appointed honor ary rangers.