ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12445, 30 August 1902, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon, and attended by Messrs R. Cliisholm (in the chair), R. T. Wheoler, jun., C. R. Richardson, T. Brown, R. Forrest, G. Jtf. Man-hall, A. C. Stronach, S. M'Donald, A. ]5. Farquhar, J. Roberts, C.M.G., F. Deans (manager), and D. Russell (secretary). The Chairman said that as it was their first meeting since the death of their late president (Mr J. P. Maitland), who had so worthily filled tho position for so many years, lie would nuggest passing the following resolution:—"That this society desires to place on record their high appreciation of tho many valuable services rendered to acclimatisation generally by their late president (Mr James jl'illans Maitlaml), and their deepest sympathy with bis relation? in tho loss tlicy have sustained through his decease, and that a letter of condolence be forwarded to the surviving members' of his family," The Manager (Mr F. Deans) reported as follows:—

The collecting oi brown trout ova ended on August 4. Tho rainbow trout are now spawning, and up to the present about 75,000 ova have been secured. The brook trout are all hatched, and the Loclilevori and Scotch bum trbul are hatching. A case containing 5000 wild rainbow ova was received from Auckland in apparently good condition, but I regret to say they are not doing well. They were laid down at tho Opoho hatchery. Mr "if'Cormack 3ias finished the new hatchery at Clinton, and the water is laid on. He is now at the pillars of the front gate, and has material on the ground for the three junctions ancl the race. Mr Steven has his hands full just now with the ova hatching and other work; he is also erecting and repairing the fences, and is calling for tenders for metalling or gravelling the entrance. I sec that reference was made in the House to a disease thai at some of the hatcheries had attacked the fish in the throat and gills. I am pleased to state that no such disease has made its appearance at either of our hatcheries. It is very pleasing to note the success which has attended the attempt of the Sydney Fisheries Department to introduce foreign fish, a large number of plaicc and soles having been landed alive, and one solitary lobstor. Nothing has been heard of the nine lobsters that this society imported, and which ■were liberated at the Otago Heads. Probably it'was a mistake in not keeping them in confinement for a time, until they were berried, and then liberated in some well sheltered corner. But it is to be hoped they will yet show up . along the coast somewhere.

The Secretary of the Wyndham Anglers' Society wrote applying for assistance in clearing brooin off the banks of the River Mimihau.—lt was decidcd to contribute halfcost to a total expenditure not exceeding £10.

It was resolved to appoint the secretary of the above sooiety (Mr R. S. Drummond) to sell fishing licenses in the Wyndham district.

The Wellington Society wrote with reference to the licensing of guns that, in answer to' their circular, all societies with one exception had promised their co operation with their efforts. A deputation had waited on the Acting-Premier urging that in the interests of game''protection licenses should be imposod on guns. In reply lie had referred to the strong opposition met with by the same matter on a former occasion, and expressed tho opinion that it was useless to Wring the legislation this session, nor would the Government bo able to promise its support. In view of this reply there was no alternative but to defer action in Parliament at least till after tho next general election,, but in the meantime they asked tlie Otago Association to do all in their power to secure support on the subject in' the next Parliament.—The letter was received.

It was resolved that a telegram should be sent to the City members at Wellington protecting against the amendment in the Fisheries Bill proposed by Major Steward (that free licenses be issued to school pupils), and:expressing approval of tho amendment in the bill having for its object the prevention of the sale of fishing rights.