GREY DUCK SHOOTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21618, 10 October 1933, Page 11

GREY DUCK SHOOTING

PROPOSED CLOSE SEASON OPINIONS AT THAMES SOME OPPOSITION VOICED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent! THAMES, Monday Considerable opposition to the proposal to close the duck-shooting season in 1935 was expressed at a meeting of Thames holders of shooting licences. The president of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, Mr. F. E. McKenzie, spoke in support of the suggestion. At all meetings held so far to consider the question of a close season for grey duck, said Mr. McKenzie, there had been few dissentients from bis 'resolution. It was generally recognised that the number of grey duck was decreasing. Mr. McKenzie recalled the fact that a few years ago all along the coast between Miranda and Thames the gulf bad been black with duck.

Several members said there bad been more duck there during the last season than for several years.

Mr. McKenzie: You are the first of ten societies to deny that there has been a decrease.

The chairman explained that they did not deny there was a general decrease, but the gulf was a natural sanctuary, which preserved not only local birds, but others. A motion that the 1935 season be closed for all game and that to provide for vermin destruction and ranging the fee for tho 1936 season be only £2, was moved. An amendment that the 1935 season bo closed for duck and other native game, but open for pheasants and quail, and the licence fee for 1934 and 1935 remain at £l, was unanimously carried. A motion that, assuming the 1935 season was open for imported game, pheasants and quail, tho 1936 licence fee be fixed at 30s, was carried. It was decided that the Auckland Society bo asked to take steps to make illegal artificial feeding in any way on any lake, lagoon, stream or other water for the purpose of attracting wild fowl within two months of an open season. FRANKLIN DISTRICT CLUB LOWER WAIKATO R IYER [from our own correspondent] WAIUKU, Monday The newly-formed Franklin Acclimatisation Club has decided to affiliate with the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. Mr. P. Barker has been appointed a vice-president of the club, and Mr. W. Porter ranger. The proposal for the closing next season of open water on the lower reaches of the Waikato River, as a step toward increasing tho number of grey duck, is causing considerable controversy, and advice on several points in this connection is being sought from the Auckland body.