GAME LICENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 9

GAME LICENCES

INCREASE SCPPOETEB IMPROVEMENT OF SPORT, ACTIVITIES OF THE SOCIETY [from our own correspondent] PUKEKOHB, Wednesday An increase to 30s in the fee for shooting licences next season was unanimously recommended Irv a largelyattended meeting of licence-holders, including the council of tho Auckland Acclimatisation Society, held at Pukekohc last evening in'conjunction with a routine meeting of the council.

The recommendation is in • furtherance of a comprehensive plan for improving sport with rod and . gun throughout the North Island. It will be formally before the council next month, when the shooting regulations for next season are being drafted. * The president of the society, Mr. F. McKenzie, said that the society had entered into contracts for the provision of 3450 pheasants n6xt year, 3700 in 1938, and 3000 in each of the threo following years. Over the five years, the total expenditure under this head would be £8450 and would use up the whole of the society's reserves. The increase in the licence fee to 30s would finance tho society to secure and liberate another 1200 pheasants a year, bringing the total in the peak year, 1938, to 4900. The average cost a bird was 10s 6d. The Wellington society, Mr. McKenzie added, was also moving for a 3(is licence fee.

Other speakers warmly supported the proposal.

A report that an acclimatisation council for the North Island had been successfully inaugurated at a meeting at Wellington on November 5 was made by Mr. McKenzie. He said that among other things the meeting had decided on a co-ordinated scheme for the ex- . termination of hawks, stoats, and * weasels in the North Island. From each fee received for a.shooting licence, 5s would be paid to the new council, which would act as a vermin control board. The meeting unanimously ratified jtho , constitution of the North Island Go'uncil. --