ACCLIMATISATION CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4872, 26 January 1903, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION CONFERENCE.

Tho conference rcasscmined at 2 p.m. on .Saturday in Bellamy's. Mr A. Fitzroy presided, and ihero were nineteen delegates in attendance. Tlio Chief Librarian, Parliamentary Buildings (Mr Charles "Wilson), wrote placing the library at the disposal of tho conference during its sittings. On thu motion of tf.o cliairman, a vote of thanks was parsed to Mr Wilson. Mr J. C. Andrew, on behalf of the Wellington Society, invited any cf the delegates who could conveniently do so to visit tlio society’s hatcheries at Masterten. Mr Lowe asked leave to hare the question of netting trout —on which a resolution had ocori passed on the previous day—re-opened, with a view to having the resolution then passed rescinded and another substituted. Tho conference unanimously gave permission. Air Lowe then moved that tho previous resolution be rescinded and the following substituted, tr Thc conference desire to point out to tiie Government that tlio work of tho acclimatisation societies in the introduction of trout will in a very great -measure bo destroyed, and one of the greatest attractions cf tourists done away with, if netting is allowed in tho hikes and at tho mouths of the various rivers, as witness recent operations at Lakes Wakatipn and Rotorua. At tho same time, tho conference recognises that the question of tho netting of trout must bo dealt with, but they strongly urge upon tho Government not to allow netting of any kind, except after tho fullest inquiry and under the strictest regulations and supervision, and after consultation with tho local Acclimatisation Society.”

Mr Sheldon, in seconding the resolution.. referred to the harm _ done by trawlers at the mouths of rivers. la the course of a discussion which followed, it was suggested that no smaller than a -lib sea-run trout should be allowed to bo taken by fishing boats, ami that tho restrictions., upon the sale of trout should bo removed, as it was considered absurd to have tho fish when not tod thrown back dead into tho sen, or disposed of surreptitiously. Mr Lowe’s resolution was carried unanimously. . . On tho motion of Mr Reid, seconded by Mr Hogg, a resolution was adopted in favour of tbo export of trout being prohibited. Mr McCallum proposed, “That with reference to tbo cancellation of rangers' warrants, tho Government bo asked to provide for this matter in any amendment of tho Animals Protection Acts.”

Mr Anderson seconded the proposition, which was passed unanimously'. Mr Reid said ho had been requested by the Southland Acclimatisation Sooioty to draw attention to tho great liana resulting from sawmill and flaxmill refuse being discharged into rivers. Ho moved a suggested amendment to tbo Fisheries Act of last session prohibiting such deleterious matter being allowed to pollute rivers from any sawmill, factory, tan-pit, follmongcry, flaxmill, sheep dip, boiling-down digastor, etc.; and that the proprietor or person in charge of each such establishment should ho required to make provision for tho deposit of such rofuso to tlio satisfaction of tho Collector of Customs or officer appointed by him. Mr McCallum seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. It was agreed that tho conference should form an association to ho known as tho Now Zealand Acclimatisation Association. A series of rules was adopted for its constitution and procedure. Those provided that tho headquarters of tlio association should he at ‘Wellington: that an annual general meeting should ho held during the first month of tho Parliamentary session, at which the election of officers should take place; that tho societies of Wellington, Auckland, Otago and Canterbury should bo represented by two delegates each, to bo elected annually, and tho other societies by one delegate each, to he elected annually in April. Tho following honorary officers w'ore elected for tho coming year:—President, J. B. Fisher (Canterbury); vicepresident, J. C. Andrew (Wellington); treasurer, L. G. Reid (Scut-Wand); council, Hon Mr Duncan, Minister of Lands (cx officio), Rutherford (Wellington), A. F. Lowe (Westland), A. C. Bogg (Otago), C. A. Fitzroy (Hawke’s Bay), 0. E. Gillies (Auckland), W. G. Owen (Wanganui), McCallum (Taranaki) and Eustace Russell. Mr Reid was appointed treasurer and Mr Yon Stunner (assistant-secretary to the Wellington Society) secretary. It was agreed that the auditor of tho Wellington Society should act aa auditor for tho association.

It was decided to have tho report of tho proceedings printed, and copies supplied to each society. At tho conclusion, hearty votes of thanks woro passed to Mr Bruce for acting as secretary and to tho chairman for tho capable manner in which ho had discharged the duties of that office.