MORE PHEASANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22398, 20 April 1936, Page 11

MORE PHEASANTS

AUCKLAND DISTRICT

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING HELD The efforts of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society could be traced back for 69 years, and during that time some splendid work had been done, said the president, Mr. F. E. McKenzie, at the annua! meeting of the society on Saturday night. During the past year, which had proved most successful in every respect, over .'SOOO sportsmen had taken out licences for shooting and fishing. Conditions for wild game were not as favourable as in the early days of the society, said Mr. McKenzie. The clearing of the country and closer settlement had its effect, and in keeping numbers up the society had had to put considerably more etiort into its work. At present there was a definite increase of pheasants, which was most gratifying. The financial position of the society was sound, said Mr. McKenzie. Certain economies had been made, as it was intended to have a closed season, but as a suggestion on these lines did not meet with the approval of some of the other societies, it had been decided to drop the matter. As an alternative the society decided to increase the licence ice and liberate more birds and fish. Attention had been drawn to the possibility of rearing in captivity many of New Zealand's native birds. This could without doubt be carried out successfully, and it was a proposal that i deserved every support. Many of the ! native birds were rapidly diminishing ! in numbers, and their re-establishment j was greatly desired. At present it was \ forbidden to keep native birds in captivity, but for the purpose of breeding j this ban should be lifted. Of the four retiring members I of the council, Mr. W..S. Miller and Mr. D. D. Wilson were re-elected, and | Mr. N. H Tisdall and Mr. W. E. Nicholson were elected to fill the other vacancies. BAY OF ISLANDS SOCIETY ELECTION OF OFFICERS [fiiom OUR OWN correspondent] KAWAKAWA, Saturday The executive reported at the annual meeting of the Bay of Islands Acclimatisation Society that 1936 would be a close season. A total of 500 young pheasants had been purchased and would be liberated in different parts of the district. The licences taken out last season exceeded those of any of the past four years, this being attributed to the fact that a number of paid rangors were employed. The financial statement showed thau the society was in a very sound position with a credit balance of £323. Ihe assets -were set down at £973, with no liabilities. The following officers were elected: — President, Mr. E. Doel; vice-presidents, same as last year; secretary, Mr. C. L. Cheeseman; treasurer, Mr. C. Skudder; auditor, Mr. 0. J. Wallers; council, president, secretary and vice-presidents. Mr. T. <l. V. Dunlop was appointed the society's delegate to attend the conference of the Acclimatisation Societies of New Zealand with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parrv. in Wellington on Tuesday.