OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18515, 28 March 1922, Page 8

OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

The regular meeting of the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held last evening, and was attended by Messrs G. W. MTntosh (president), Rutherford, Conn Cowie, Howes, Williams, C. Wilson, Baker, Long, King,, and Hungerford. ’ The Chairman referred to the loss the society had sustained in the loss of Mr A. E. Jenkins, who had been a member since 1908, and had worked hard in the interests of the society. He mentioned that a letter of sympathy had been sent to the relatives of the deceased gentleman. The Angling Committee recommended that the proposed visit of Mr Pellett to Lake Alexandrina to inspect the conditions for the catching of the eggs of rainbow trout be approved. With regard to a letter from Now Zealand Railways Department, Wellington, quoting £4B for the society’s reward notices being displayed at railway stations, the committee recommended that inquiries be made as to whether a reduction could not be made, proportionate to a reduction in the number of notices. As to the cost of introducing Atlantic salmon ova the Waitaki Society had written expressing its readiness to contribute £25 per annum; the Waimate Society £lO per annum; and the Nelson Society £2O per annum for one year, with a recommendation that it be continued for two more years. Other societies were prepared to assist in a variety of ways. The North Canterbury Society could not promise a donation; neither could the Wellington Society at present. The Taranaki and the Hawera Societies were unable to assist, and the VVaimarino Society was not in favour of the project. The committee recommended the copies of these letters to be sent to- the Southland Society. The committee recommended that a reference be made to “tagged” fish in tho licenses to be issued next year. The Clinton Anglers’ Club had written that; it could not sec its way to bear the expense of shifting the hut from Burning Plains to Swans bridge. the committee recommended that a sign post be erected to indicate the site of the Burning Plains hut. With regard to a letter from the Bruce Angling Society as to the pollution of the Tokomairiro Stream, the committee recommended that a letter bo written to Messrs Nelson and M’Lcod stating that tho society would be pleased to support them in any way possible to abate the nuisance.—The report was adopted. the Game Committee recommended that some grey duck at the Botanic Gardens bo trapped and sent to Clinton, Mr Tannock to be asked for permission to trap the birds. Mr TannocEr to bo further asked if he could provide pens for some pukeko •Tie Department for Internal Affairs. Wellington. had written stating that the society’s recommendations for a season for native and imported game and for opossums would receive consideration. The Southland Society had written stating that it had decided to charge 10s tor a native game license. The committee recommended that the Otago ’season for native game close on July 15. Jn connection with a letter from Mr R. Cockburn, Roxburgh, as to importing plover, the committee recommended that inquiries bo made into tho matter Mr G. Pinckney, Waikaia, had forwarded a .map of the Waikaia nm deer country will, blocks marked off. The blocks had been approved of by tho commit ter ; stalkers to he asked not to shoot any deer in the Waikaia-Upper Pomahaka district that were ear marked. The Department for Internal Affairs had telegraphed that pukeko and paradise duck were absolutely pro lected. The committee recommended that the department be strongly urged to consent to a short season for these birds.- Report adopted. The president referred to a paragraph 'appearing in a Balclutha newspaper as lo (he taking out a license to kill or lake native or imported game. The paragraph set out that the Otago Society had fixed the fee at £l. which meant (hat in districts like Balclutha. where game was scarce, a man wntild have to pay £1 on the off chance of shooting a stray" dunk or puknki. The paragraph concluded. “Another few years of Masseyism and a man will have to pay a fee and take out a. license if he wants to take a walk and a look at the scenery. ’ The president explained that the object of the society was merely to protect and preserve the game in (lie district, and that practically the whole of the fees collected would be Spent in the district. The Government got only about halt a crown out of the license fee.