ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20190, 30 August 1927, Page 5

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, held last evening, was attended by Messrs C. P M. Butterworth (president), Cowie, Long, Howes, Turner, C. Wilson, Hutchison, Baker, Reid, Aburn, Rutherford, J. R. Wilson, Stewart, and Dodgshun. GAME ' COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Game Committee reported that it had been decided to sell 25 brace of quail to the Waitaki Society, Mr Duncan to get as many quail as possible,. the birds to be liberated in the Otago Society s district, and the president and manager to decide where the birds were to go. It had been decided to send three pairs ot Chikkor to Mr Stronach. The committee recommended that information be obtained from Wellington about the number of opossum 1 skins secured this year in that district. Ranger Campbell had reported that there had not been much poaching of opossums during the season. While the number of skins taken was not so numerous last year, the skins had realised better average prices. He thought it would be advisable to have a close season next year. The Department of Internal, Affairs had appointed T. A. Gillespie, of Hawea Flat, an hon. ranger. The Auckland Society had written asking if the Otago Society desired to procure copies ot the Rangers’ Guide, and it had/been decided to obtain 100 copies. The Westland Society had written /regretting that it could not open its stalking season as late as April, owing to the high altitude ot the country. James Dobson (Pokino) had written stating that the society s order for pheasants was to' late, and quoting 12s per bird for young pheasants for the coming season for delivery February, March, and April. The following letters had been received regarding quail:—hrom J. Freeland (Shingly Creek), notifying the arrival of the birds Erom G. Wegg (Taioma), and J. Owen-1 npp (Kurow), saying they would be glad to get some quail on the terms mentioned. From G. Pinckney 'Waikaia), making a request for quail. Mr R. J. Dunning (Makarora) had written asking tor a donation towards the cost the track into stalking block 35a, Young River. —To be informed the society had no money to spend on this work. Mr Thomas Wilson, of Gore, had written suggesting the introduction of swallows into New Zealand. Mr Baker moved that the society write to the Government asking if it would give permission to introduce swallows if the society wished to import them. This had been carried. The result of a ballot for stalking blocks for 1928 had been as follows: —Block 34, d • BLck; 35a, J, Crossan; 16, S. A. Stevens and party; 22, Oliver and party; 23, Gillespie and party; 31. L. E. Wdsou. M Ainsworth; 33, Williams; 35. Colonel Strutt - 36, J. H. Wadworth; and la, S. b. Jenkins and friend. Block 30 to te offered to P. H. Saxton; other blocks to be offered to unsuccessful applicants, ine report was adopted. ANGLING COMMITTEE S REPORT. The Angling Committee recommended that the Leith fish trap be painted and repaired. Further, that the allocation of Scotch burn fry be left in the hands of the president, Mr C. A. Wilson, and the manager. An order tor .oO 000 brown trout ova had been received from the Waitaki Society. The Westiand Society had agreed to accept 10,000 brown trout from Pembroke hatchery for liberation in the Haast River. Mr D. Urquhart, Hawea Flat, had written advising that 270 willow trees had been planted on the foreshore at Lake Hawea recently, and asking that the 200 trees for the Holmes plantation be sent up. Mr Reid had stated that the 200 trees had been sent on. A request from Constable Bandy lor brown trout fry for the Taieri m the vicinity of Ranfurly had been noted. It had been resolved to thank Messrs G. K. Graham. J. M'Eitchie, T. Pickett (Palmerston), B. Overton (Henley), and C. M'Lay (Warrington) for information concerning whiteboat. The Auckland Society had written pointing out that reservoirs and dams were improved by having trout in them. R. Kinpaird, Alexandra, had written concerning the destruction of trout in the Fraser River while the races were being cleaned out. The writer to be thanked, the committee recommending that the matter be investigated in conjunction with the Public Works Department. —The report was adopted. MANAGER’S REPORTS. The Manager (Mr R. Hanning) reported that the collecting of ova finished about the end of July, the number of eggs obtained being about the same as last year. Mr Ford, Pembroke, had been asked to keep in the hatchery 100,000 brown trout eggs until they hatched out. Mr Claringbold had sent away 700,000 eggs, and expected to send the remaining 550,000 away shortly. The fry in soma cases had commenced to hatch, and it was proposed that an allocation of 1,000,000 of these be made by the president and manager to enable Mr Claringbold to go on with the distribution when considered desirable. The Scotch burn eggs from the young stock fish were rather poor, and large numbers were being picked out. Some red cod and roes had been forwarded to Clinton, and the pond trout were eating the cod, but the young fry were not eating the roes.—The report was adopted, and it was decided to liberate 1200 yearlings in the Upper Waiwera. The Manager reported further that 1261 hawks’ feet had been received and paid for. Duncan had arrived at Queensberry and in' three weeks had succeeded in getting 100 quail. Large numbers of pukeko were reported to have perished in the Poolbiirn district. He had visited a number of skin stores, and found that generally the opossum skins were in good order. They were not, however, as numerous this year.— Received. GENERAL. Accounts amounting to £l3O 12s 3d were passed for payment. Mr _B. Overton, writing on the subject of whitebait, expressed the opinion that - ts worst enemy was the perch, and that trout were terrified of perch. Trout had almost disappeared, and the perch were seen in large numbers in the rivers. Trout were much scarcer than in former years for want of food, and the perch was most destructivc enemy the trout had to contend with. —The letter was received. It was resolved that 2000 of the Howieton fry be retained at Clinton hatchery and that the remainder bo liberated in Lake Loudon.