FISHING AND SHOOTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23514, 31 May 1938, Page 8

FISHING AND SHOOTING

ACCLIMATISATION MATTERS SOCIETY’S ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held last night. The president (Mr C, A. Wilson) occupied the chair, and there was a Targe attendance of members. Review of Year Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, tire chairman pointed out that sales of trout ova had been very poor during the vear due to the failure of the sources of supply. The society had received many big orders, but had not been able to fulfil them. Lake Hayes had been very poor, and the Leith was the worst anyone could remember. It was reported, however, that Lake Hayes was very much more promising this season. The number of fishing licences had kept up very well, although the single-river licence had been eliminated. The reason was that many of the persons who bought those licences had very favourable fishing right at their back doors, and it was not thought right that they should enjoy that fishing for 10s when others who had travelled long distances had to pay the full fee. • , Owing to the drought, fishing had not been good generally, Mr Wilson said, although he thought there were streams to which anglers might give more attention. In this connection he instanced the Clutha which, he said, was only beginning to be exploited properly, and the Taieri, which would stand a great deal more fishing, especially in the lower reaches. It was reported that Lake Hawea had gone back a good deal since the introduction of salmon, as the grilse ate the young trout. It was only natural, however, that the fishing in lakes and dams, etc., should deteriorate in time. The society had been concerned about the diminution of fish near the mouth of the Leith, and had come to the conclusion that it was due to trapping there and at Forth street. The society had decided, therefore, not to trap any fish at Forth street for another year or two, and thus allow the fish to get up over the concrete if they could. Eggs would, however, still be taken. Game Plentiful “There is evidence that game is plentiful in the Otago district,” Mr Wilson said, when referring to the shooting season. “ Swans and pukeko are plentiful. Chukor are doing remarkably well in this country, and in time will no doubt spread right over the mountain country of the South Island. They are wary birds and hard to shoot, but when shot they are very fine. The breeding of pheasants, carried out at Waitati, has been practically a total failure. Two lots of young birds were burned and two which were being reared under their mothers were lost through insanitary conditions. We were disappointed, because we spent a good deal of money on the birds and took considerable pains to try and rear them.” Society's Income Seconding the motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr S. F. Aburn said that the net amount received from fishing licences during the past year was about £IOO more than in the previous year, due to the extra number of whole-season licences sold. Game licences had brought £874, compared with £648 in 1936, Sales of trout ova had realised £64, as against £2ll in the previous year, and the society’s share of the opossum revenue had reached £l2O. Office-bearers The election of officers resulted as follows; —President, Mr W. G. Reid; former president, Mr C. A. Wilson; vice-president, Mr S. F. Abum; vacant seats on council —Messrs H. G. Williams, G. E. Turner, D. M. Hunter, S. H. Barnes, W. A. Raffills, and Begg.