ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25172, 12 March 1943, Page 5

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

MONTHLY MEETING In the absence of the president (Mr W. Thomas), Dr E. E. Butler occupied the chair at the monthly meeting of the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society on Wednesday, and there were also present Messrs C. Andrew, R. Gibb, J. E. Swinard, A. T. Bastings, A. W. Forrest, J. A. Wray, and F. Cleverley. The Under-secretary of Internal Affairs (Mr J. W. Heenan) advised that there was no possibility of further ammunition being released for the game season, but that he was' prepared to declare open seasons in the districts desired by the societies, with a period for water fowl from May 1 to May 16 Inclusive, with longer periods for other game where recommended, and he asked for the society’s views. The secretary (Mr A. C. Piper) reported he had replied, recommending an open season for grey duck, spoonbill duck, black swan, and pukeko from May 1 to May 16, and for paradise duck (only in that portion of the district lying to the westward of Otematata Creek) for the same period, and for Californian quail from June 1 to June 30 inclusive. The bag limits recommended were the same as for the previous open season, and the licence fees were 10s for native game, and £1 for native and imported game (including Californian quail). It was also recommended that the exempted areas to which the open season would not apply should be the same as before. It was reported that after conferring with the ranger and trappers it had been decided to recommend to the Minister of Internal Affairs that there should be a close season for opossums in the Waitaki district this year, Mr Swinard reported that the president, secretary and himself had attended the unveiling of a tablet at the Waimate Acclimatisation Society’s fishing camp to commemorate the acquisition of the land on which the camp is situated.

To-day, at the Port of Oamaru, high tides will be at 8.2 a.m. and 8.29 p.m.