OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 14

OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held on Friday, and attended by Messrs J. P. Maitland (chairman), G. M. Thomson, J. Wilkie, A. C. Begg, E. J. Spence, R. Chisholm, W. Carlton, W. Dawson, Cuningham, Smith, and Deans (manager).

ANNUAL BEPOBT.

Consideration of the report and balance sheet to be submitted to the annual meeting was the first business ; and a number of additions suggested by Mr Carlton were noted. Tbe Treasurer, remarking on the financial state of the society, said that the position had rather improved since January 1887.

THE FISHERIES BILL. The Secretary read a letter from Mr Rutherford, of Wairarapa, with reference to the Fisheries Bill, showing that it was advisable to get the bill in its present state withdrawn. At present the bill was a muddle. He suggested that matters in connection with the fresh water fisheries should be submitted to the different acclimatisation societies.

The Chairman said no doubt the best course would be to get the bill withdrawn or to block its passage.

Mr Begg suggested that another bill should be brought in to deal with the oyster and seal fisheries. It would never do to combine these with the fresh water fisheries.

CHAHGES AGAINST THE MANAGEMENT.

The Chairman read a letter from Mr Carlton, who complained of the way in which the affairs of the society were conducted. He pointed out that they had only met two or three times during the last 15 months, and considered that in consequence there had been a want of courtesy to members. He also stated that the committee's instructions with reference to the trout and salmon fry had not been carried out, ib consequence of which there had been a very heavy loss. In consequence of their having been kept too long, they had been eaten by their own species and perished in large numbers, This ho went on to characterise as "grave negligence," and said he could not conceive of anything more cruel. The reason of this was that the fish were kept waiting for weeks in order that they might be seen by a miserable batch of excursionists who did not contribute a single pound towards the society. Among further complaints he urged that the Waipahi river had only received half its share of young trout.

Mr Oaklton, speaking to the charges he had made, emphasised his remarks about the fewness of the meetings that had been held. With reference to the salmon ova he said 280,000 had been hatched out, while only 140,000 had been liberated. He maintained that half of the number had been lost. It was a well-known fact that cannibalism prevailed among fish, and Mr Deans had caught salmon in the races with another little salmon's tail sticking out of his mouth, partially digested. That was in consequence of their having been kept too long in confinement. They naturally got tired of sheep's fry, and wanted a change. — (Laughter). The Waipahi river, he contended was the most important of all, and should have been first attended to. It appeared to him that two or three gentlemen were running this concern without giving the rest a show. He regretted that circumstances should demand his calling attention to this matter, but he had done it in the best interests of the society. He moved — " That Messrs Chisholm, Maitland, and P. C. Neill be appointed to inquire into the matter, and report to the council."

Mr Begg pointed out that it would have been very injudicious to liberate the young salmon before the end of March. If they had done that the chances were that instead of losing one-third 'or one-fourth, M;hey would have lost nine-tenths of the number. It would never do to turn the young fish out when the brown trout were strong and voracious. All experience had gone to show that they should wait till the big fish in the rivers became sluggish near spawning time.

Mr Chisholm seconded the motion. He did not agree with Mr Begg's remarks. Mr Carlton had referred to the trout as well as the salmon. The instructions of the committee had not been carried out, though there might have been some reason for the alteration made. Still the committee should have been consulted in the matter. The motion was carried. COLLECTION OF OVA.

On the motion of Mr Chisholm the chairman and treasurer were authorised to arrange for the rangers getting extra assistance for collecting ova when necessary. Mr Beqg mentioned that the society had 100,000 Loch Leven trout ova at Marshall's creek.

Mr Deans said that in addition to this 50,000 brook trout ova and 63,000 brown trout ova had already been procured.

ANNUAL MEETING.

It was resolved to hold the annual meeting on Friday next.