ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 61

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING, Tbe nineteenth annual meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation' Society was held last Wednesday night in the Exchange Hall, Mr A. J. Rutherford (vice-, president) in the chair . The annual report says that the Council is glad to be able to state that success continues to attend the work of the; society. The finances are satisfactoryIn the general account the receipts were <£1842 2s 3d (including a balance of' <£s9. 4s lid from last year), and the expendb ture was <£1678 7s Bd, leaving a credit balance of <£l63 14s 7d. The chief increase in the general account was the amount received for fishing licenses (£Boli 14s 6d), a record for the society. Shooting licenses amounted to <£444 18s. The accounts outstanding on March 31st, and due to the society, amounted to <£4o9, and the outstanding liabilities on that? date amounted to <£26 15s Bd. During tbe past year the approximate number of licenses issued were:—Deer shooting, 94; imported game, 240; fishing (men’s) 959, (boys’) 234, (ladies), 30. Expression of thanks is given to the Government for; legislation passed strengthening the hands of societies. During the season for, netting spawning trout, 1122 brown' trout, giving 680,500 eggs, were netted; rainbow trout yielded 752,000 eggs; fontinalis yielded 6500 eggs. The hatching was fairly successful; out of 1,439,000 put down to hatch, 33,500 ej r ed ova and 678,000 fry were disposed of, besides 10,000 rainbow fry kept at tlie hatchery to be turned out as yearlings. A large number of eggs from the rainbow trout is expected next winter, and a very good season with the brown trout. The curator reports that the gill disease is spreading aniQngst rainbow stock fish, but no sign of the affection has been found in fish taken from rivers in the \* Ellington district. In regard to red dee-i_, the report says the sport m the Wairarapa has been good, and that the endeavour to form now Lords still continues to receive the earnest attention of the Council. Those started at Wainui-o-mata, Paraparaumu and North are doing well. There is every indication, too, that in time the Tararua range will be ivell stocked with red deer. License-holders are requested to endeavour to cope with the great and growing evil of poaching. The result of the year’s operations at the game farm has been anything but satisfactory, and large numbers of birds have been lost through, various causep.

Tlie election of officers for the ensuing vear resulted as follows: • —• President, held over pending the arrival of Lord Plunket; vice-presidents;- Messrs G. Denton and A. J. Rutherford; council, Messrs W H. Beetham and W. H. Galwey (Wairarapa), It. C. Bruce (Rangitikei), E. Larcomb (Palmerston North), J. Thomas (Pahiatua) F. C. Tumor (Eketahuna), S. Scott. G. Cudby, L. G. Reid, F. Whitley, A F. Lowe, J. J. Eason. J. Wilson, L. Tripo and Dr Faulke (Wellington). Mr A. F. Lowe was elected a life member in recognition of his valuable services to the society. Mr J. Wilson was ejected, chairman, Mr A. F. Lowe secretary, and Mr L. G. Reid treasurer. '' -A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded tne meeting.