ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 13

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING A SATISFACTORY YEAR There was an attendance of about 50 members of the Otago Acclimatisation Society at the annual meeting which was held in the University Club Rooms last evening., Mr G. E. Turner presided, and. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, reviewed a most satisfactory year. The society’s finances were in a healthy state, he said, due principally to the increase in licence fees and the opossum revenue. " The total revenue to the Government from opossums was qbout £7000,” he said, "and the total allocation to the societies concerned was £ISOO. The Government kept the rest. A member: Shame! The chairman:; However, we received our quota, for which we, are thankful. The society’s financial positioners very satisfactory, and it, is hoped soon that the balance will be put to good use. The expenditure at Waitati had been a big handicap for some years, and, of course, the society had felt the effects of the depression years, he continued. It was . pleasing that interest in acclimatisation matters was< so well maintained. The amended formula of membership had brought excellent results. A portion of the Increased returns was ear-marked for fresh-water research, which had been taken over by the Government, and the society’s contribution would be over £2OO. The remainder would have to be allocated to ranging and the destruction of vermin. In particular, more attention would have to be paid to the destruction of eels. {STOCKING WITH FINGERLINGS This year the society had adopted to s large extent a policy of stocking its streams with flngerhngs, and about 55,000 had been liberated. The return of flngerlings from fry was over 50 per cent., and much better., results were expected from this policy. It had been reckoned that one fingerllng was worth ’OO fry, sO' that on this assessment the society’s liberation equalled about 1,000,000 fry. In addition, the Upper Clutha Society had liberated nearly another 500,000 Rainbow and brown trout fry. That was valuable assistance which was fully appreciated. There had been a good deal of talk about amalgamation of societies, he continued. More comprehensive control had been suggested by the Government. One or two conferences had been held but nothing definite had been arrived at. It would bring the societies into closer touch, and Mr Turner thought that there would be closer co-operation until circumstances warranted a change. Several of the smaller societies were handicapped by lack, of finance, and it would probably be to the advantage of acclimatisation if they should amalgamate with the bigger societies. By that he did not mean that they should give up their work, but that they should continue as sub-societies as was being done in Auckland and Wellington. In the meantime, a South Island council had been formed. DESTRUCTION OF VERMIN Referring to the game side of the society’s activities, he said that this was the first for many years in which pheasants had been liberated and the season made, open. • So far there had been no reports. About 100 pheasants had been put out. “If we. are going to put out that class of bird, we will have to undertake a more extensive campaign of vermin destruction,” ha continued. “Stoats and hawks; in particular, do great damage. It is our duty also to protect the native birds. They are suffering enough from the advance of civilisation without the depredations of these vermin/ This season the society was revising Its system of honorary ranging. Good results were expected, and the chairman asked all sportsmen to co-operate with the society by sending in reports of conditions and experiences’ in the different districts. In conclusion, he referred to the fine service given to the society for 12 years by Mr W. H. Claringbold, who had recently resigned his position: as curator to accept an appointment in Canterbury. Mr Turner expressed the society’s appreciation of the assistance given to it by the Minister of Internal Affairs, landowners, agents, and the press. The adoption of the report and balance sheet was seconded bjr Mr S. F. Aburn, who reviewed the balance sheet, and carried without further discussion. OFFICE-BEARERS Mr C. A. Wilson was elected president and Mr S. F. Aburn re-elected vice-president; The retiring members of the council—Messrs M. Barratt, - R. Fountain, T. Long, J. Maconie, and G. Porter —were re-elected. Motions of. thanks for their services were accorded the retiring president, the chairmen of committees, and the staff.