ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2103, 14 June 1894, Page 33

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The ordinary meeting of the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held on Monday afternoon, and attended by Messrs J. P. Maitland (ohairman), John Roberts, R. Chisholm, G. P. Clifford, A. C. Begg, A. Stronach, J. Edgar, T. Brown, R. Forrest, S. Goldsmith, A. M. Loasby, G. M. Marshall, D. Russell (secretary), F. Deans (manager), and G. M. Thomson. THOUT IN CENTBAIi OTAGO. The Chairman observed that a paper read before the St. Bathans Debating Society by Mr R. Cowan in connection with the stocking of streams in that district had been received. He did not propose to read it. There was a lot of it hardly applicable. Mr Roberts : What is the gist of it ? The Chairman : The gist of it is to give the society a great deal of credit for its efforts in stocking the streams in the interior of Otago. A number of difficulties that affected the welfare of the fish were mentioned, but the society were perfectly well aware of the existence of these difficulties, but found it impossible to overcome them. — The communication was received. NEW BLOOD FOR THE MOEVEN HILLS HERD. The Chairman mentioned that some time ago they had received a letter from their friend Mr Blackwood, of Melbourne, who stated that he would be in a position, through the kindness of a friend, to obtain several hinds and a stag or two to turn out at Morven Hills, and so introduce fresh blood among the existing herd. He (the chairman) and Mr Begg had been appointed to wait upon Mr Mills, the manager of the Union Company, in regard to getting the deer over, and Mr Mills generously promised to see that they were conveyed across free of cost. SHAGS. A letter was received from the Southland society in regard to shag%. It stated that 2s a head was paid for the destruction of full-grown ahags in the Southland district, and proposed that the same sum should be paid by the Otago society. — It was agreed to pay 2s a head for full-grown river shags shot inland at least 10 miles from the sea from April Ist to December 30fch. WINGED GAME. The Rev. R. Waddell wrote apologising for non-attendance, and suggesting that a committee be appointed to inquire into the matter of the introduction of wiaged game. — Tho letter was received and the suggestion of the v/riter given effect to. Tho following were appointed a committee :— Tho Rev. R. Waddell, Mr Loasby, and the executive 1 "the finest deer forest in the •world." The following letter was read by the chairman :—: — Hawea Lake Station, May 22, 189 J. The Secretary Otaßo Acclimatisation Society, IJuneuin. Dear Sir, — The shooting season this year was eminently satisfactory to sportsmen, all of whom

expressed their intention of revisiting the ground next year ; no stalker returned home without a trophy. This place was pronounced emphatically the " land of sport " in New Zealand, and for very health's sake cannot be approached by any district in the country. For the deer themselves the country affords all that is desirable for food and sanctuary. Of this the great and evident increase of the noble animal is sufficient proof, and tho society hag good reason to congratulate itself upon having the control of so magnificent a stalking area— every stag shot this year was " rolling fat.' 1 In a few years from now no influx of the sporting element, however large, will be able to reduce the nerd in any appreciable degree ; always provided that poaching is sternly treated— for sportsmen will corroborate me when I state that young stags are in great numbers this year. This fact should be good enough to encourage those whose ambition it is to decorate their ancestral halls with the aritlered cranium of the royal (and there are many " royals " to be had) red deer of Timaru, New Zealand.

Re Hinds.— lf it could be conveniently done, it would be well to shoot off the old hinds, but for the present they cannot do much hurt as there is plenty of country to run in, and it cannot, therefore, make much difference for another season, or until the society sees its way to allow shooters the privilege of reducing in number this surplus female population. New Blood.— A few German stags, which I believe would make the best cross, should be imported at once, and let loose amongst the herd. This course will neutralise a slight tendency to degeneration which has shown itself by the appearance of small and inferior-looking horns in some of the young stags. Camps for Deer Stalkers. — In my opinion— and I have carefully considered the matter— the present camps are the best suited to their purpose, and .gave complete satisfaction this year. But it will be necessary, to make the camping arrangements as nearly perfect as possible, to add four new shelters to those already erected for the accommodation of sportsmen. Pack tracks have been cut to all the present camps (seven in number), and the same work will have to b§ done in connection with any additional accommodation in this respect for the stalking fraternity. Tho Weapon.— Stalkers should bring with them for shooting purposes heavy calibre rifles only (not less than 577). They will find that by attending to this suggestion, and leaving "fancy" rifles at home, they will score a few "points" — in horns. The Weather. — The weather was all that could be desired during the season, and for tho first time the country shot over was divided into sections. This latter course gave general satisfaction, each party keeping his own ground in the fairest and, indeed, the most rigid manner possible. As a proof of this I may mention that one stalker and his gillie chased a stag into another stalker's ground, and from his own limit looked sorrowfully on while his neighbour took down his quarry — a magnificent " fourteenpointer "— in the third shot, one of the best shots, on the whole, ever made in the district. In conclusion, I confidently assert that as a deer forest there is a great future before this part of the country. It is so admirably adapted to the requirements of deer and stalkers equally, and the society may safely promise itself, before many years pass over, the satisfaction, if they like, of controlling one of the finest deer forests in the world.— l am, &c, H. Mac Lean. ' The report was adopted, and it was decided to thank Mr Mac Lean for compiling it. EXECUTIVE. The following were appointed the executive :— • Messrs Stronach, Chisholm, Edgar, Roberts, and the chairman.