OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18873, 28 May 1923, Page 5

OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT. The following is a summary of the fiftyseventh annua’ report of tho Otago Accli* matisation Society for the year ended March 81, 1923: FINANCIAL. Tho income for the year amounts to £3233 7s 9d, being an increase of £682 Os 3d in comparison with last year’s receipts, mainly accounted for in fees and royalties on opossum skins, shooting licenses, fishing licenses, and ova and yearlings sold. This is the firsj year of rcvenvie being received Irom native game licenses. Expenditure for the jear £2245 9s 5d shows an increase of £290 2s La against last year’s figures. After writing on £l9O 10s 4d for depreciation on Clinton buildings, Pembroke Hatchery, motor car, motor cycle, etc., a balance of £799 8s remains to credit. ANGLING. Tho season opened well, especially in the Pomahaka, where fish were plentiful and in very good condition, but tho wet and 'broken weather subsequently expenenciod correspondingly limited opportunities so dear to anglers’ desires. All rivers have been liberally stocked, and the council has had a reasonable measure of success in their efforts to cater- for anglers, notably as follows; Upocr Taieri.— Last year (1921-22) some 13,000 Rainbow fry were liberated in this river, above the waters discoloured by mining, at Linburn up to the Loganburn junction. At Christmas, 1922 fish from this stock were caught on fly weighing up, to iHb, affording excellent sport, and, what is more gratifying, giving proof that this water is capable of further development. The water adjacent to the Paerau Hotel (where anglers will find very comfortable accommodation) and for many miles upwards is ideal for dry fly. From the hotel downwards there are continuous ripples "for four or _ five miles of ideal fly water, the whole being also well stocked with brown trout. During the past year tho council has liberated the following additional fish in this river: 20,000 rainbow fry, 2000 rainbow yearlings, 3000 Scotchburn fry. Manorburn Government Irrigation Dam This fine stretch of water was stocked with rainbow yearling fry in 1917 and 1919, and has afforded excellent, sport during the past season, fish up to slb having been taken.,A party of four anglers in two days creeled 64 fish. Lake Hawea and Hunter River.—Rainbow ore now thoroughly established, and afford sport equal to any obtainable in the dominion. The fish take freely, either trolling from a boat or fishing off tho shores of the lake. A party of four, for a few days’ fishing got 61 fish, a number being slb ami over. The result of not fishing, which i! permitted in tho lake, has not been reported. Hawea River early in the season afforded plenty of sport, hut the condition was inferior. due to the fact of fish spawning late in these cold waters; they have not time to recondition by October. Anglers should, therefore, leave this river until towards the end of November. Sullivan's Dam. —During the season soma largo brown trout have been noticed rising, and one of 9Jib was caught. The Blagdon yearlings liberated last year aro doing well. A little time yet is necessary to confirm which species the water is most suitable for. As pointed out before, this is a matter in which anglers can bo of great assistance to the council if they would only report particulars and condition of fish taken. Contour Channel continues to be well etocked with perch; also, some fair catches of trout have been reported. Tomahawk Lagoon.—During the season 304 fish from the "Water of Leith, of various sizes up to 51b and 61b. were liberated here. In addition to the above,, the following fish were liberated in the lagoon: 3000 rainbow yearlings, 1000 brown yearlings, 1718 two-year-old Brown. Water of Leith continues to be very well stocked with small fish. During tho season some nice sea-run fish up to 7lb were obtained. A good average of spawning fish came up, and the yield of ova was good. Tho “rope ladder” has firmly established its efficiency in enabling tho fish to get up the smooth concrete floor of tho stream when the water is otherwise too shallow. Eweburn Dam, at foot of Mount Ida (ac- ! cessible from Banfurly, distance about 12 tniles), has afforded some good sport, and is well worth a visit hy anglers. PEMBROKE HATCHERY. Dulling the season about 700,000 eggs were put down. The following ova was eyed and availed of to supply orders:—Rainbow, 150,000; Loch Leven, 60,000. Tho remainder was sent to the Clinton hatchery. The capacity of this little hatchery is 800,000 eggs. It has proved itself an acquisition to the society's requirements, and will be particularly useful to enable it to establish firmly the real Salmo Salar in Lakes Hawea and Wanaka and the Molyneux River and tributaries as time goes on. SHAGS. During the year £52 3s has been paid for beaks, showing about 350 of these notorious depredators to have been got rid of. In addition, the ranger, Mr E. Duncan, has accounted for a considerable number. It ehould be kept constantly in mind that the average diet of a shag is nine to 10 fish per day, of sizes ranging up to a foot in length. EELS. During the year nine pots have been supplied at the nominal charge of 5s each. During 1921-22 26 pots -were supplied, but despite repeated efforts and facilities afforded great difficulty has been experienced in obtaining information as to the number of ©els caught. In addition to preying on trout, eels also take a heavy toll of young wild ducklings. In the Hunter River a visiting angler from England had the unusual experience of a large eel tackling a 71b trout when just about played out. POACHING. No apparent abatement is shown in this reprehensible and most deplorable practice, to endeavour to cope with which entails a heavy yearly expenditure of funds which otherwise might be employed to advantage. Time after time appeals have been made to ell true sportsmen to co-operate in bringing offenders to justice. QUINNAT SALMON. In 1917 the Government had 500,000 eggs hatched at their Pembroke- hatchery, and liberated the fry in the Wanaka and Clutha Rivers—ls 4 miles from the sea. In June, 1920, some of these returned to spawn. In 1921 a second run was in evidence, a largo number of eggs secured, hatched, and the fry liberated. The run of these salmon for 1922 season was small. So far there have been no reports of any having been caught by anglers, FRESH-WATER SHRIMP. After two unsuccessful attempts, a fair number of Australian fresh-water shrimp, arranged for by Mr G. Howes. F.E.S., with the Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Game, Melbourne, arrived in good condition and were liberated in a pond in the Woodhaugh Reserve. It is to be hoped the recent unprecedented flood has not dislodged them. Through tho courtesy of tho Southland Acclimatisation Society the council has since been granted permission to obtain fresh-water shrimp from tho Waihopai, which we had not hitherto known of. The curator, Mr Pellett, will obtain some of these, and efforts will be made to breed from them for introduction into suitable streams. LICENSES. _ Angling.—Whilst men’s whole season’s licenses show a satisfactory increase ot 23, the downward tendency in ladies’ licenses—viz., 23 less than last year and 10 belov' 1920-1921, and boys’—viz,, 468 against 523 in 1920-1921, is to be regretted. It is to be hoped that this apparent waning interest is only a passing phase. In connection with licenses to fish for perch, which have hitherto been issued at ss, tho council has found it necessary, to prevent breaches of the trout fishing regulations, to increase the price of these licenses to adults to £1 (to include fishing for trout). Boys’ and ladies' licenses (including trout and perch) will remain at 5s as formerly. Game and Native Game Licenses.—The increase—viz., £277, is due to tho introduction last year of a license to shoot native game at a fee of 10s. This has now passed its first year’s trial, and has been generally acknowledged by sportsmen all round not only as of great benefit, but absolutely necessary to the preservation of our native game. Royalties and license fees for opossums have afforded an increase of £175. NATIVE GAME. Grey duck, spoonbill or widgeon, teal of several varieties, pukoko, black swan, god wit (commonly known as snipe), and knots come under this head. Grey duck, which may be said to be without a compeer for allround sport and edible qualities, are in goodly numbers this year, thus fully justifying the wisdom of nroviding sanctuaries for their protection. The society has 17 of these birds in the aviaries at Clinton for breeding purposes and liberation. As experience is gained it is the intention to develop this branch of - their activities to a larger scale, with corresponding beneficial advantage to sportsmen. Black swan are in evidence throughout all parts of the district. They afford good shooting, and are also good for edible purposes. Pukoko, in a, few localities, are fairly numerous. Last year they were included in tho absolutely protected list, but this year have by Ordcr-in-Council been temporarily transferred for a limited period to the list of native game which may be shot, with a limit of 12 birds per day. Paradis© duck aro now fairly numerous. Last year these were also transferred to the absolutely protected list., and enjoyed a close season. This year, in re-

aponse to tho council's special request to the Department of Internal Affairs, they hav© hy Order-in-Council been temporarily transferred to the open list for a short season of two weeks. May 1 to 14 inclusive, with a limit of 12 birds per gun per day. The native pigeon are on tho absolutely protected list. Black teal also are absolutely protected. IMPORTED GAME. Birds in the society’s district coming under this head arc pheasants, Californian quail, mallard duck, Canadian geese, Cape Barren geese. At date the following birds are in tho association’s aviaries at Clinton for breeding purposes: Canadian geese 2, grey duck 17. Pheasants may now bo counted out—not that the district is nnsuited for them, as in earlier years they were plentiful and thrived well, but for tho reason so long as poisoned grain is used for extermination of rabbits it is futilo to attempt again to re-stock the district with those exceptionally fine game birds. Mallard duck are steadily on tho increase. They have proved to bo very wary, and not many fall to tho sportsmen’s gnns. The council does not regard these birds as favourably as tho native grey duck, and for this reason discontinued breeding them. Canadian geese: Prom 12 birds liberated at tho head of Lake Hawea nine years ago a flock of ' over 200 were counted by the ranger this year. Iff April. 1922, the council procured eight birds from fresh stock imported from Canada, by the North Canterbury Society and liberated them with the others. They have adapted themselves well to local conditions, are very fine sporting birds, and should shortly begin to extend to other localities. 'So far these birds have been strictly protected. Probably next year it may bo advisable to open a short season, permitting a limited number to be shot. Cape Barren geese, also liberated at heed of Lake Hawea, have acclimatised well, but so far from the docile tendencies they have shown cannot be counted a good sporting bird. A pair of them may be seen in the Botanical Gardena pond. Californian quail: The number of these birds is being well maintained. Arrangements are in hand to establish them in other suitable parts of our district. Permission has been granted to the Southland Acclimatisation Society to trap a limited number for liberation in their district. Tho season for game this year is from May 1 to July 35, inclusive, with a limit of 20 head for Californian quail per gun per day- the license fee being £l, which includes native game. Deer.—Red Deer: Thirty-five stalkers visited tho Hunter Valley and Makarora this season (1923), the latter district being favoured by his Excellency the Govercor-Ger-eral. Viscount Jellicoe, and party, who were in securing four good heads. During the year just closed a climax has been reached in connection with deer throughout the dominion generally, brought about by a report furnished to the Governments by the Lands and State Forests Department and complaints of damage to settlers’ holdings, wherein it was estimated there are 300,009 head of deer at large, stated to be causing annual damage to the extent of £IBO,OOO. As it is impossible to produce' authentic data to substantiate these figures, they can only be regarded as guesswork. No allowance was made in tho report for damage known to be done by wild cattle, which are admitted to be numerous, and live mostly in the bush. However, it is freely conceded there are too many deer, and at a conference held in Wellington on March 22 last with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. Downje Stewart, and representatives of tho various acclimatisation societies affected, the matter was very fully discussed. Whilst it was admitted that a wholesale removal of protection would not alone eliminate the trouble, the following resolutions were adopted:—ll) That it be left to each acclimatisation society, in consultation with the Departments of Internal Affairs, Agriculture, Land and State Forests, to define such areas wherein it is desirable protection should be removed, and to take such other measures as are deemed necessary for effectively dealing with tho deer question. (2) That no deer be liberated without the consent of the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Tho president and secretary, who attended tho conference, endeavoured to arrive at a settlement on the snot so far as the society’s interests are concerned, but time precluded this being done, and it was arranged that the State Forests, in consultation with the other interested departments, should prepare a map showing the areas wherein it is considered protection must be removed, these maps lo be forwarded to each society for consideration and report. Tho council, whilst prepared to meet the exigencies of the case by agreeing to removal of protection in all cases where direct damage is evident, strongly urges that this should not eventuate in respect to tho Hunter Valley, Makarora Valley, Pomahaka, Whitecomb. That the council has been fully alive to the necessity for keeping down the number of deer in its district is evidenced by the fact that since 1910 the sum of £l6Bl 2s Gd has been spent in “thinning out,” resulting in a total of 3947 head killed to date. In connection with, this expenditure a subsidy of only £IOO was received from the Government, and even the council’s application for ammunition at rates supplied to rifle clubs was refused. The position now to be faced is sufficiently serious for the council to take in hand, but in the case of many of the smaller societies in the dominion is practically impossible without Government assistance. It is pleasing to record the State Forest Service has instructed its officers to confer with the council and to render any assistance in their power in tho matter. It does not, however, go so as to say financial assistance will be forthcoming The matter requires urgent treatment and will need to be dealt with at once by the incoming council. The society’s herd of red deer in the Hunter and Makarora ia without doubt the finest herd of pure Scotch blood now existent, and no effort should be spared to secure its protection, with annual attention given to keeping its numbers in check.

For the season just closed some good heads were obtained, tho following having been reported:—His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, 14-pointer, 48 x '4B; R. A. Wilson, 13 pointer, 38 x 37; R, A. Wilson, Royal, 40 x. 38; E. J. Herrick, 13-pointor, 46 x 48, E. J. Herrick, 13-pointer, 40 x 39; H. B. S. Johnstone, 18-pointer. The license fee for this season was, Hunter Valley and Makarora, £5 for two heads.

Pomahaka Red Deer Herd.—For this season (1923) 18 licenses were issued. Favourable conditions were experienced for the opening of the season on March 24. Improvement in til© type of heads from this herd should soon be in evidence from the strain of Warnham Park blood liberated therein during 1929-21. The council has in hand tho matter of keeping this herd systematically culled. Morven Hills District.—The council has kept this locality and upwards to Timaru Creek open to all for shooting, but exceptionally poor advantage has been taken of (the privilege. Racently to ease damage being done to settlers’ crops of turnips, etc,, the council engaged Mr Collins, who shot o, considerable number of deer.

Fallow Deer, Blue Mountains.—No licenses were 'taken out this year (1923), tho reason being that so much of the country frequented by the. deer has been thrown continuously open for shooting, with the object of abating trouble to adjacent settlers’ crops. Wapiti and Moose. —Although the district —viz,, West Coast Fiord —where these animals are does not lio within our territory, it is of sufficient general interest to record that for the first time in this dominion an open season for shooting was declared this year—viz., from March 24 to May 31—only two licenses being permitted, authorising the taking of two head of wapiti and one head of mocse, at a foe of £lO for wapiti and £3O for moose, Messrs V. Donald (Masterton) and L. Murrell (Manapouri) wore successful in obtaining licenses, and proceeded to Fiords district in the beginning of April. Though they had missed the “bugling and roaring” period, they- bad the satisfaction <.f securing three wapiti bulls, with heads of the following dimensions; —lsl points, length 49in, spread 53in, beam 6J, 14 points, length 53.Jin, spread 47,Jin, beam 7); 11 points, length 48in, spread 40Jin, beam 7. The two first were taken at Lake Katherine, inland from George Sound. Only one moose, a cow, was seen, but many indications of both moose and wapiti, young and old, are in evidence about Supper Cove, Dusky Sound, whore moose were first liberated in 1910. Eighteen wapiti, presented to Mr Theodore Roosevelt, were liberated in ISC3. Opossums.—A good season was experienced by trappers, who obtained some 17,009 skins, yielding prices ranging from Gd to 14s lid per skin. The condition of skins taken confirms the selection ot the month of June for the open season as being the most suitable. An American fur merchant, dealing in a largo way, who attended tho sale of 14,000 skins offered by Messrs Waters, Ritchie, and Co,, on July 20, 1922, expressed the oninion he had never seen fur in belter condition. GENERAL. Tree-planting.—The proposals outlined in last year's report to plant some 11 acres of otherwise waste ground at (lie Clinton Hatchery property has been acted upon. Rabbit-proof fences have been nut up, and 20,000 two-year-old trees (10,000 Finns Insignia and 10,000 Douglas fir) were obtained from O. Clark, nurseryman, Ashburton. The trees arrived in good condition, and with the assistance of an experienced planter (Mr Chisholm), sent by Mr Tannock. were well started in their new home, where all aro now looking very well. Honorary Rangers.—During the year the following appointment was made: —H. T. Button, Clinton. Retiring Members. —In terms of the rules, +h?' following office-bearers retire:—President, Mr G. W. MTntosli; vice-presidents, Messrs R. Rutherford and R. Conn; five members of council—Messrs T. Long, G. Howes, H. T. King, H G. Williams, and W. G. Reid—who are eligible for re-election.