Acclimatisation Conference.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 7005, 2 October 1897, Page 2

Acclimatisation Conference.

(BY TELEGRAPH,) Wellington, October 1. The Acclimatisation Societies Conference resumed this afternoon, and concluded its business. Mr O'Regan referred in strong terms to the wholesale destruction of rare natlvo birds, and after some discussion it was decided to ask the Government to absolutely protect the rarer varieties of natlvo birds, and inflict substantial penalties for their destruction. It was also decided to ask the Government to declare a close season for pigeons for the next three years, and thereafter protect them every alternate three years. The delegates will visit the Mastertou fish ponds to-morrow. It was resolved that the shooting season in the North Island extend over May, June, and July, and in the South Island over April, May, June, and July, the societies in the latter to restrict shooting to three or four months, according to circumstances.

The conferenoe waa of opinion that encouragement should be given for tho destruction of stoats, weasels and ferrets in settled districts, subject to the concurrence of the acclimatisation society of tho district concerned. It was resolved to ask the Government to make a more effective provision respecting the pollution of streams by the discharge of deleterious subscancees from sheep dips, fellmongeries, and other works; also that the Government be requested to consider whether rabbib poisoning can bo taken by game. In regard to riparian rights ib waa decided that in future the Government should arrange in the case of resumed estates that river banks, a chain on each side, should be reserved for the use of anglers, sportsmen, and camping parties, the owner of the land, of course, having access.

Ib waa decided to approach the Government on the question of the introduction of salmon ova, and to recommend that this ova be placed under the control of tho Otago Society only ; also that financial assistance be granted that Society for the maintenance of the salmon.