OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16191, 29 September 1914, Page 6

OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation faociuty was held last evening. The president (Mr G. W. M'lntosh) occupied Ihe chair. Mr James Steven submitted the following report covering the operations at the Clinton Hi.'tr.herii'S: — "About the finst of the month three young Cape Barren geese hatched out from a nest of four eggs. Although the weather was very cold and stormy at that time tho young birds seemed to stand it well, and are now doing very welL A few of tho mallard ducks are laying. 1 have to this date three liens sitting on mallard eggs. The Canadian geeee have not shown any sign of building yet. The following birds are in stock at this date: 18 hen pheasants, 9 cock pheasants, 1 jungle cock, 10 mallard ducks, 5 drakes, 5 Cape Barren geese and 3 young, 16 Canadian geese. One mallard drako was forwarded to Mr Blaikie, Pucrua, during the bust month. " On August 24 six cases of brown trout ova, containing 150,000, were forwarded to Geelong and Ballarat. On September 2 five cases, containing 210,000 brown trout ova, were forwarded to Nelson; and on September 14 a further shipment of 40,000 brown trout ova was sent forward to Nelson, this completing all the orders for this season. With the exception of a few trays of lato ova, principally brown trout, all tho ova have hatched out, giving on the whole very good results. I estimate that the following numbers of fry will be available for stocking yearling ponds and distribution in the various streams :—Loch-lcvc-n, 260,000; In-own trout, 230.000; Blagdon, 115,000; Scotohburn, 65,C00; brook, 30,000; rainbow, 9000; —total, 709.000.. I estimate that the following yearlings, or approximately, will be available for distribution and stocking two-year-old ponds:— Brown trout, 18,000; Lochloven, 10,000; Scotchburn, 2500; Blagdon, 4500; brook, 2000; rainbow, 3000; —total, 40,000. The work of distributing tho two-year-old fish has been going on steadily for some time Up to the present 3600 of these fish have been liberated in various streams. Abo'ut 50 per cent, of these fish are over 9iti long, and a good number from llin to 12in. They are all in fine condition and 6hould afford good sport to anglers during the coming season. During the month 250 young pine trees have been planted, chiefly in tho Canadian geese ecclosure, and a ferw in other suitable places. I have also had planted out over 100 native shrubs, chiefly round the banks of the large yearling pond, and a few in suitable places round the banks of the othor ponds." Tho Angling Commit,tac reported that the recommendation of the ranger in regard to Brighton Creole (that no further fish be placed therein in the meantime) should be given effect to. and that tho 250 trout intended for Brighton zo to Dnnback, above Kitchener's. Mr W. Black, Timaru Station, Lake Hawea, wrote advising that the rainbow ova had hatched, and asking where they were to be put.—Recommended that the fry bo distributed as follows: —20,000 at the neck of the lagoon, 5000 in the Dingle lagoon, 3000 in Taylor's lagoon, 1000 for Mr J. Faulks, of Makarora. —It was decided to rofer Mr P. Cotter's application for 1000 fish, to be placed in Lake Francis (Lake Wanaka), to the Angling Committee, with power to act. Mr A. P. Aldridge, Waipori Falls, wrote, offering to act as honorary ranger for the district.—Mr Aldridge to be appointed. Mr A. M'Carthy, Dunedin, wrote asking that two cans of • fry be sent to Mr Alex. Pearson, of Kyeburn, and three or four cans to Mr J. Pottinger, Ranfurly.—Recommended that these be recorded in the book for attention. Mr G. J. C. Smart, secretary Wyndham Anglers' Ateociation, wrote notifying that a contract had been let to clear the banks of the Wyndham River with the balance of the grant promised by the society.—Recommended that tho society pay the account v when the work is completed up to the balance of the grant. It was recommended that the ranger be instructed to examine tho baskets, and see that no trout lees than 9in bo taken from the Leith.—The roport "was adopted. The Game Committee reported as follows: Mr A. Ingram, Knhuika, wrote offering to supply 20 live opossums in suitable boxes at 8s 6d per head at Caberfeidh Station.---Kecormnorxl that the society .accept the offer of Mr Ingram to supply 10 at 8s 6d, and offer them as a donation to the Havvea. Society; and, in addition, Mr Ingram to procure 10 pair for Mr Faulks at 8s 6d per head. W. P. Cotter, Hawea Flfl,t, advised that tho Hawea .Society recommend the purchase of 24 opossums. —Recommend that the society get 10 free of charge, provided they are liberated in the Hunter Valley. Messrs Aslin and Bedford;, Dunedin, acknowledged receipt of 16 opossum skins' seized by tho society's ranger.—Received. Skins have been given :up on the solicitor's advice. The Under-secrctary, Department of Internal Affairs, wrote stating that tho suggestion of the sooicty respecting- the salo of opossum skins had been noted, and would receive consideration.— Recommend that tho council should not let tho matter drop. The Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, also asked if it was proposed to mix some of the Lucas Park-bred deer with the herd at large in the Hunter.—Reply sent that thero was no intention to turn out these deer until it was ascertained what the progeny would be like. Mr Hugh Mitchell, secretary New Zealand Farmers' Union, -wrote protesting against the destruction of hawks. —Recommend that fie be informed that the destruction of hawks been discontinued. Mr R. Cockburn, Roxburgh. nxh'ised that ho had liberated three pheasants at Teviot Station.—Recommend that Mr Cockburn be thanked for his attention to the birds. Pheasants at ClintonRecommend that these be turned out after the laying season is over. Upland wild rice. —Recommend that something be done with the Upland wild rice now lying in the office. ]t was decided to make the parcel up mto four packets and give to members for planting Mr W. Telford. Waiwera South, wrote notifying that the four English hinds have calved out of season.—Mr Telford to be asked the sox of the three fawns. Recommend that tho society writs to other societies (Nelson and Westland) and see if they would take them.—The report was adopted. GENERAL. Mr Peden suggested that the Game Committee should take into consideration" the question of granting permission to stalkers to shoot six weedy st,a.gs or hinds in addition to tho stipulated number allowed for in their licenses.—The suggestion was agreed regard to a letter from Mr W. P. Cotter pointing out the dies>rab-bty of culling tho red deer herds in the Hunter district. it was decided to inform Mr that' the society hud made application to the Government for the sum of £300 to he devoted to that nurnoso. It -was resolved' that no free licenses he issued in future, cxce.nt to constables, without the anoroval of tho o.7'moil. Mr R Riitiherford was an additional member of the Game Committee.