ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20060, 29 March 1927, Page 15

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held last evening, there being present Messrs C. P. M. Buttorworth (president), Rutherford, Turner, White, Hutchison, Wilson, Long, Howes, Williams, and M’Dowell Smith. GAME COMMITTEE S REPORT. The Game Committee reported that a communication from the Department of Internal Affairs, as to a request from the society for a bonus for deer culling was receiving consideration. In connection with another letter from the department, enclosing a warrant authorising the liberation of pheasants, it had been decided by the committee that the Minister bo requested _to look after the protection of pheasants for one year, renewable for a similar period, if desired. With regard to an offer made by the society for the purchase of nffo cartridges from the U.S.S. Company, it had been resolved that the acceptance of the offer bv the company bo agreed to. D. Urquhart, of Hawca Elat, had written stating that ho was sending two bundles ot deer skins to R. S. Black and Company. This communication the committee had received. Mr T. Ainsworth, of Killashce, Ireland, had written that he would be in the Dominion to shoot deer, in the Makarora deer forest. This had been received by the committee. The Game Committee recommended that Mr Duncan bo instructed to trap quail before the opening of the shooting season and that be take instructions from the president, or the chairman of the Game Committee, as to where the birds were to be liberated. The committee recommended that the first 30 birds be liberated on Mr Drake’s property, at Waitahuna Heights, the second lot to bo liberated on the property of Mr James Freeland, Shingle Creek, and the third on the property of Mr J. Gow, Rocklands Station.—Report adopted. ANGLING COMMITTEE’S RETORT. The Angling Committee’s report contained very little that was permitted to be published. A letter had been received from the curator recommending that a battery for the motor truck be sent to Mr Turner for attention. The Marine Department had written notifying that Mr F. W. Pellett and Mr A. A. Campbell had been appointed inspectors of sea fishing. This, the committee had received. The committee reported that a letter had been sent to Mr M'Coll, Timaru Creek Station, as to the erection of a dam at Timaru Creek of a more satisfactory and permanent nature, for the stopping and running of trout. The letter had been received and noted. The Howieton and Northern Fisheries, Stirling, Scotland, had written notifying the despatch of one box of ova by the Ruapehu. The Angling Committee had agreed to acknowledge the receipt of the letter and the despatch of a copy of Mr Claringbold’s report, with a request for a statement as to what species of eggs were in the box. The committee recommended that some Loch Leven be liberated in Sullivan’s and other dams this year—The report was adopted, Mr Wilson stating that the committee was not quite sure what the ova from the Mowieton Fisheries might be. Some dght be Blagdon and some Scotch Burn. The consignment had been quite a success, and -f a fair proportion matured the society should bo quite satisfied. GENERAL. Accounts amounting to £lB2 were passed for payment. Speaking of a visit ho and Mr Butterworth had made to the Clinton Hatchery, Mr Wilson said they had found everything in good order. - Everything looked very well indeed, and they were well pleased with the aspect of things generally. There did • not seem to bo much chance of the society getting clear water in flood time. There would have to bo an absolutely complete system of filtering before they got clear water. However, they were both satisfied with the way things were looking at Clinton. An intimation was received from Wellington that the season for shooting game would bo opened on May 2, as May 1 was a Sunday, the shooting season for pukeko to commence on May 2, and continue to May 31. It was mentioned by Mr Wilson that pukeko were plentiful ot Maniototo. Mr Turner expressed the opinion that it would be better to import pheasants from the North Island and liberate them every year. That course would be cheaper than breeding the birds locally. Getting them from the North Island seemed to be the better course, though it did not follow that the society altogether abandoned the idea of farming pheasants >ocally.—This opinion was supported by other members of the council. —The Chairman suggested that the rest of (he birds go to the Waipori sanctuary reserve and that Mr Henderson be requested to interest himself in them.—Mr Turner said that more runs should bo put up if they were going on with rearing locally.—lt was finally decided that the pheasant farm bo placed on the following basis:—Thirty birds; say 25 hens and five cocks, to be offered to Mr J. F. Munro (Pheasant Farm, Waitati); £1 to be paid to Mr Munro for all birds reared, when fit to be turned out; Mr : Munro to pay all expenses. The details wore left in the hands of the president (Mr Buttcrworth) and Mr Turner,