ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22098, 31 October 1933, Page 13

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

MEETING OF COUNCIL A meeting of the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held last night; present—Messrs J. H. Stewart (chairman), C. A. Wilson, J. Hutchison, W. H. Wilson, J. Maconie, S. H. Barnes, M. Barratt, A. D. Welch, S. F. Aburn, T. Long, G. Porter, G. Howes H. M Dowell Smith. A. J. White, H. J.‘Wxlliams, G. E. Turner, and W. G. Reid. GAME COMMITTEE. The Game Committee reported that the secretary of the Auckland Society had written forwarding leaflets with respect to the proposal for the conservation of the grey cluck. Mr G. E., Gamble, of Waipiata, had written stating that eels were taking a toll of the young ducks in the sanctuary. The report was adopted. ANGLING COMMITTEE.

■ The Angling Committee reported that it had received leaflets from the New_ Zealand Acclimatisation Societies’ Association bearing on research work, and asking for I financial assistance for such work. Hie New Zealand Freshwater Research Committee had written reporting on the work of the committee for 1933. ’. Mr J. Maconie, Dunedin, wrote regarding the loss of young fish at the hatchery at Waitai, and other matters, and enclosing a letter from A. E. G. Marwick, Clinton, on the causes of the deterioration of trout. The acting town clerk, Dunedin, wrote agreeing to allow anglers to fish in the Sullivan dam and the Southern reservoir, subject to previous endorsement, of the license, also stating that wading into the water is not allowed, and that boys’ licenses will not be endorsed. It was recommended that the following requests for medals for angling competitions be granted on the usual termsOtago Anglers’ Association, two medals for bare fly competitions; Clinton Anglers’ Club, one medal for their annual competition; Waipahi Anglers 'Club, one medal for their club competition. Mr F. W. Oakden. hon. secretary, Upper Clutha Anglers’ Association, wrote saying they got barely 15,000 rainbow eggs at Timaru Creek this season, and their total 'liberations of fry for the season was 495,000 brown. Out of that number 50,000 had been put in the Lindis River on September 27. Mr D. Urquhart, Hawea Flat, wrote advising that the fence surrounding the Holmes plantation,, at the outlet of Lake Hawea, had been cut, and that people were camping among the trees. Mr T. Gilliespie, Hawea Fiat, wrote saying that he had managed to raise the water level below the dam at Timaru Creek.; Mr D. L. Barclay, Te Houka, wrote respecting fryliberation in the Kaihiku Stream, and it was recommended that 10,000 fry be put in the stream in the places mentioned in Mr Barclay’s letter. The report was adopted. It was decided to make a payment of OE2O to the New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies’ Association. . RESEARCH COMMITTEE.

Mr Mflconie reported for the Research Committee that Professor Percival was of opinion, after examination, that the alevins from the Waitati hatchery had apparently diedJrom suffocation owing to the accumulation of mucus. There was no excessive debris now, and the trouble was over. He also reported on the condition of various fish, particulars of which had been sent in by anglers. The report was adopted after a brief discussion. ■ ■ WAIPORI DAM.

Mr Barratt expressed the view that,the fish in-the Waipori dam had not sufficient food. It was a mistake, he submitted, to put rainbow and brown trout together. On a recent occasion, out of 80 fish caught by 18 anglers, only six were good fish. The rainbow fish were in good condition, while the trout were poor. He had. himself fished the lake for nine days, and out of all the trout he had examined only one had food in its stomach. . •; The matter was referred to the Angling Committee. > ■■„. ; ACCLIMATISATION CONTROL. , ' Mr Williams suggested that something should be done to invite members of gun clube and, angling clubs to send delegates to the. meetings of the council, without any right to take part in discussions. This would give the "delegates an insight into the work of the council, and would combat certain rumours that were going about. The chairman said the clubs referred to already had the right to representation on the council. - ■ . . .. ' In a conversational, discussion it was said there was a move in certain quarters to have acclimatisation matters taken out of the hands of the society, and, to meet this move, clubs and others interested shoulfi be urged to take a keener interest in these matters.’ Mr C. A. Wilson said they ought td communicate with country clubs and secure thhir interest and support. , Mr Aburn suggested that information respecting the society’s-. activities might be circulated by means of -letters and articles in the press. . . Mr Howes said he was preparing «■ summary of the work that had been carried out by the Research Committee, and he was sure members a.nd the public would be surprised when they learned the extent of it. It would be well to bring this fact to public knowledge and to let people know the scientific work that was being done. . Such action, he thought, wbuft build up respect for , the work in which the society was engaged. . A member voiced the view that anglers did not wish the control of acclimatisation affairs to pass into the hands of the Government. Mr Reid suggested that addressee on the work of the society might be broadcast for public information. ■ ~ _ It was resolved to hold - the matter over until next meeting. * . GENERAL.

The chairman reported that everything was satisfactory at the hatchery, and the liberating of fry was proceeding expeditiously. . .. " It was decided to, take no action in regard to importing prairie chickens trom Canada. , T , .. It was decided to ask the Lakes, society if the report is correct that fishing licenses of the Lakes Society; are being sold in Cromwell at 10 per cent, below the usual rate. ■ , .

The recent double transatlantic voyage of the Italian air armada; under Marshal Balbo, calls attention to the modern tendency to have practical airmen as Air Ministers. Even when they arc not flying men on their appointment they may qualifjf for their pilot’s ticket afterwards. This has happened in the case of the British Secretary of State for Air, Lord Londonderry, and his French “opposite number,” M. Pierre Cot. The latter is the first civilian Ait Minister to fly solo on visits of inspection. Britain has been particularly fortunate in its Air Ministers. Both Sir Samuel Hoare and the late Lord Thomson, the two most famous holders of the office in recent years, made it their business to learn everything possible about aeronautics, and spent a good deal of time in the air.