OTAGO ANGLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2170, 26 September 1895, Page 34

OTAGO ANGLERS' ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Otago Anglers' Association wea held on the 18bh in tho Coffee Pulace, and was not numerously attended, Mr R. Ckisholm, who occupied the chair, in moving the adoption of the annual report, which has already been published, said it was a mabter for regret thab bhe committee, throngh the secretary, was not able to report muoh progress. Betore speaking to the report, he would like to refer to the admirable manner in which ib had been compiled by the secretary, who had made it very interesting out of very little material. Th<vy would noticj that the moinbe*ship was Wo less than last ye\r, which was a matter for regret. The committee had not had frequent meetings, but they had been very much perplexed as to how to increase tho membership and excite interest in the association. He proceeded to refer to the attempts to co-operate wi h .h the Acclimatisation Society.in getting an office in which literature of an interost'ng character to anglers might be kept, and in which meetings might be held. He had broughb bhe matter forward ab bhe lasb meeting of the Accl'inatisabiou Society, and the proposition had beon received with favour, and a committee appoiuted to secure a suibable room. It wan proposed, also, with a view to promote an interest in angling, to hold periodical meetings during the close season, probably once a month, \\he~n a short paper bearing ou angling and pisiculture should be road. Promises had baen made by those interested in these matters to read such papers. He thought this would be an inducement to members to come to the meetings. They had hod one more competition thau in previous years, and that wai one he hoped would be maintained. He referred to the hospital d*y, when the fish were sent to that institution. He noticed with satisfaction that the fish in the rivers, though getting smaller, were increasing in number, and that large baskets were mado, but whether this was owing to anglers becoming more expert or the fish getting leas timid he conld not s»y. He believed that our streams were getting better stocked than they were. In years to come he believed that the fish would become much more numerous though lighter. The secretary's references to rivers were very interesting. He felt eorry thab the competition on the Waipahi had burned out so badly. He regarded ib as one of bhe best rivers they had, and he referred to very pleasanb experiences he had had in bhe lower waters. He mentioned that Mr P. Aitken's take of 4Hlb would be regarded as phenomenal at Home. The whole of the competitions, with the exception of the Waipahi, had retulfced very satisfactorily Mr W Aitkiw seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried. 'I he balance sheet, which showed a credit balance of £2 6s lOd, aud a membership of 28, was also adopted. Mr Ogg's motion, reducing the subscription to 2s 6d, lapsed in his absence. Mr R. Chisholm was elected president, Messrs W. Aitken and R. I'orieit, vicepresidents ; Mr A. Jenkins, secretary ; Mr P. Aitkenrtreasurer ;Mr J. Edgar, auditor ; and

Messrs A. Auderson, J. F. Pcake, J. B. M'CAllum, J. Roborttoa, S. Goldsmith, C. Cooper, J. Nelson, A. Mathews, and G. Mucro a committee. The following competitions were arranged :—: — Association gold and silver medals— Shag Rivor, 9th of October 18s)5. Hospital Day— On any river, Bch of Novombor 1895 Benevo l ent Institution Day— On any river, Cup D>y in February 1890. Only three competitions will be hold. The usual votes of thanks to the retiring officers and ohairman closed the meeting.