ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18898, 26 June 1923, Page 10

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

The monthly meeting of the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held last night, and was attended by Messrs R. Conn (in the chair), Rutherford, Cowie, Williams, Reid, Aburn, Long, Wilson, Stewart, and Holmes.

Mr G. Howes wrote suggesting that the Exhibition Committee be approached with a suggestion that two members of the Acclimatisation Society be appointed to the committee to arrange for an acclimatisation societies' exhibit. An exhibit could be arranged for in conjunction with another by the Portobello Marino Hatchery.—Received. Mr Bilton, Pembroke, writing on the 17th Inst, as to native game on Waiholn. Lake, stated that grey duck were very plentiful. Evidently the sanctuary at Waipori had been the means of saving them. Spoonbill and teal were very scarce, and evidently required protection, otherwise they would be exterminated. Swans were not so numerous as in other years. Pukeko were very numerous in th© swamps around the lake. Not very many had been shot, the floods making the swamps inaccessible to sportsmen. Mallard duck were holding their own, but had been difficult to approach after the first day’s shooting.—Received. The Game Committee reported that Mr Hec. Gibson, Morven Hills, Lindis Pass, had written concerning damage done to his property by deer, and“askcd if the society could assist him in the matter. The committee recommended that a reply be sent regretting that further assistance could not be rendered. It recommended that Mr Faulks be asked if he could get some young hinds from Makarora for shipment to Mr C. E. Lucas, Warnham Court, Sussex, England, and also that the Buller Society be informed that the Otago society could not supply 10 pairs of mallard duck just now, but would do its best to do so after the breeding season. In connection with a communication from the Department of Internal Affairs that it was prepared to instruct the conservator of fish and game to visit acclimatisation districts to report on paradise duck and pukeko, the committee recommended that the stock inspectors in the various districts should report. Mr J. L. Lethbridge had written • consenting to the pond on his property being declared a sanctuary. The committee recommended that Mr Pinckney, Glenaray Station, Waikaia, be appointed an hon. ranger, that Mr Wright. Aryglie Station, Waikaia, be allowed to destroy deer doing damage to his property, and that the deer blocks between Timaru Creek and the head of Lake Hawea be given to young stalkers at any time of the year for the nominal fee of £1 per license.—Adopted. The Angling Committee reported that Mr C. A. Wilson had been appointed chairman for the ensuing year. Mr W. Ford, Pembroke, had written that he would wire for assistance when the fish were running. Th© Nelson Society had ordered 200,000 brown trout, 50,030 Loch Leven, and 50,000 rainbow ova. The Geelong society bad ordered 100,000 brown trout and 50,000 rainbow ova. Th© Lakes District_ Society had written asking if the Otago Society could supply eyed ova or Atlantic salmon or any kind of trout. —The committee recommended. that 20,(W0 eyed ova of sea-run trout be sent free. The chief inspector of fisheries and game, Melbourne; had written staling that- he would try to let the society have another shipment of shrimps later on. The Rev. W. P. Craigic; Ratanui, had written advising that he had seen a large female Atlantic salmon in one of the creeks in the district. There had been a good run of spawning fish during the last few weeks. —Adopted.