ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 36

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Acclimatisation Society was held in the Waste Laud' Board's room on Friday afternoon, when Mr A. C. Begg, vice-president, occupied the chair, and some 25 members were present. A letter was received from the president, Me ! J. P. Maitland, explaining that he was unsblle 1 to attend owing to tho faob that he was suffering from a cold Tbe Chaikman said that for a good many years Mr Maitland had occupied the chair at I the annual meeting's of the association, and it ( was a matter for regret th*t he was not now able to be present. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, which was taken as read, was as follows :—: — Your council, in presenting the thirtieth annual report, for the s»ason ended March 31,18%, congratukte members on the continued interest taken in the work of the society, and the support and encovuagemeat of the public generally. Financial.—On reference to the balance sheet it will be seen that the revenue for the year was £645 7s, and the expenditure £621 3b, showing a crelit balance on the year'e operations of £24 4s. Fish Culture —The stock ot fish in the society's ponds at present is 125 salmon four and a-half years old, 238 do two and a-half years old, 6050 do rix months old, 366 rainbow trout one and a-half years old, 425 Scotch burn trout various ages, 111 [ Loch Leven trout various ages, 50 American brook trout various ages, also a few Rhine trout, golden carp, perob, tench, and sticklebacks. The quantities of fry distributed during the past season •were : 101,000 brown trout, 100,000 Scotch burn, 48,500 Loch Leven, 28,000 American brook. On referring to appendix A, it can be seen into which streams the fry wore liberated. Government imported 200,000 salmon ova, aud the iutention was to distribute it between tho different societies: but on arrival of the shipment on the 22nd April at Wellington, per s.s. Kaikoura, it was found on examining the boxes that the ova was in. bad condition, and in order to save as many of the eggs as possible it was decided to send' the whole ship • ent at once to the Mastorton hatchery. Ou a thorough examination being made immediately after the anival of the ova at Masterton hatchery it was estimated that about 10 per cent, of the shipment would be saved, which will probably yield from 15,000 to 18,000 fry, and your council is of the opinion that it would be much more conducive to the success of the experiment of introducing the salmon into our waters if the whole of the fry were liberated in one river and its tributaries in the south of the South Island. The long-looked-for salmon in our own waters has not turned up yet, but the number of our sea-going trout are increasing every year, and if the nioutb.3 of our rivers are well protected from net fishing it is only a matter of time when New Zeulmd will have a very valuable supply of fish food from this source. Your council would solicit the support of all paftieß in protecting the mouths of our rivers, so that the fish may be able to reach the spawning beds in our inland streams unmolested. It came out in evidence in a prosecution case, when three men were convicted and fined for netting trout at the mouth of the Matmra, that one of the parties acknowledged taking as many as 300 trout in two days last yvar. Two- new ponds have been made at the Clinton hatchery—one 140 ft by 15ft and the other 116 ft by 15ft—with 4ft of water. These pondß will enable a large number of the imported salmon fiy to ba kept until they reach the smolt stage, two years hence. Kea Deer.—The herd on the Morven Hills continue to do well. Notwithstanding* the late severe winter, we do not think the mortality was greater than usual. The number of calves last season was smaller than usual, on account of the cold, wet spring, and probably the hinds were short of milk after the severe winter they had passed through. The effects of the severity of the winter and spring were also shoyn on the antlers of the stags, as good heads we:e very scarce. We .understand the Government intend putting a number of red deer on the West Coast shortly, and in time, when the two herds come in contact, it will be to the benefit of both, as new blood will in this way be introduced into both herds. The two stags presented to the society by Mr Blackwood last year \yere liberated in the end of Way—one in the Lindis district and the other at Timaru creek. Unforttmaiely, the day after they were liberated the first of lie s>.Yen snowstorms came on, and the one pub down in the Lmdis district succumbed. Mr H. MacLeaa very kindly secured the ODe at Timaru creek, gave it the run of the woolshed, and fed it until the severe weather was over. This stag became a great pet at the homestead until he took his departure to look after the hinds in Mirch. Mr Mac Lean writes that he has fine antlers this season, with 10 points stronger'than the generplity of "the stags in the herd this year, thua showing that the better thay are fed the better are tho antlers. He was well able to hold his own in the herd, and kept a mob of nine hinds all through the rutting season. Mr Mac Lean saj s that after he had shed his horns, which he did in one night, it was interesting to watch the growth of the new onep, which grew at the rate of 3in a week. After the snow cleared off the carcase of the stag liberated in tho Lindis diatrict was found not f*r from where he was let loose. Your council feel very much indebted, to Mr Mac Lean for the care and trouble he took in bringing the other through the severe winter. Mr Blackwood has kindly offered to give the eociety another stag from Victoria. Your council think the infusion of new blood into the herd is very necessary, and probably arrangements can be made with the Wellington and Nelson societies to exchange a certain number of fawns every now and again. Fallow Deer.—These deer, being on lower country than the red deer, came through the winter very well. Although they seem tooonfine themselves to a limited area, the condition of the herd keeps up wonderfully. Your council are considering the advisability of catching a few of these deer to liberate in other districts, as the interest and enthusiasm of sportsmen in the herd at Tapanui continue from year to year. Hares.—There are still a number of hares doing fairly well in the society's district, and a few licenses are taken out annually to course and shoot them.

Birds.— ln January last the society recsivad. a shipment of birds from tho Home country, conshtiDg of 21 mallards, 8 widgeons, and 20 partridges, pee s.B. Mamari. Sixty-four birds were originally shipped from London, and the loss on the voyage was three mallards, eight widgeon*, and four partridges. The result; of this venture your council consider very satisfactory, and is mainly due to the care and attention bestowed on them during the pa°sage by Captain Levack and those in charga. The birds received ware in fin? condition. Yfo cost tf those landed was 16a

a head. We are greatly indebted to Mr J. Roberta for securing and makiug arrangements for the shipping of these birds while he was in London. Ten of the mallards were forwarded to the Southland Society ; the remainder, along with the widgeons, are now at the Clinton hatchery, where Mr Doans has bad a suitable place prepared for them to keep them in confinement for breading purposes. The 20 partrllgos were liberated at once on the property of Mr R. Charters on the Taieri Plain. Sir Charters reports seeing tbem very often, and considers they are doing as well as could be desired in their new home. Pheasants. —We were disappointed in not getting any pheasants from the North Island last winter, but expect to have some from there this year. The few there are in our district are supposed to be increasing iv numbers. We have heard of five broods of young ones being reared in differents parts during the laat breeding season. Quail.— These birds are also reported as being on the increase in places where they were not entirely exterminated by the poisoned grain laid for the rabbits, and it is known that the poisoned pollard, whioh is Urgsly used now for the destruction of rabbits, is less injmiuus to game bird* than poisoned grain. Your council thought it advisable to make this a close season for quail, so that the partridge* liberated may have a better chance. The wild geese are incre*»iug satisfactorily on KaiUngata, and Waibola L»k-:s, also at Strath-Taieri, but those put into Lake Onslow, near Roxburgh, did not breed list season. Native Game.— Grey ducks aie very numerous in many parts of the society's district! rind fri'ln accounts received the shortening of the shooting season to two months instead of four -is having the desired effect in increased numbers. April and May are the two months they may be shot in. A very large number of the Paradise ducks died during the last severe winter iv that portion of our district at Longslip, near Lake Hawea. They were found flead alongside the frozen lagoons. The mortality amongst these birds was so great on the Wuitaki that tho Waimafa and Oamaru Societies have made a close season for them this year. It seems singular that they should have remained in their native haunts and died of starvation when half an hour's flight would have enabled them to reach districts unaffected by frost or snow. Government very wisely parsed an act last session making this year (1896) a rlo3e season .for native pigeons, and every succeeding sixth year in future will be observed as such. Fishing.— The society's gold medal for bare fly competition on the Waip ibi was won by D. A. Purvis (with 17 fish, weighing 381b loz), and the silver medal by James Nelson (with 17 fidb, weighing 351b 2oz). Anglers did as well, if not better, during the past season than any time since trout fishing opened in New Zealand. This was owing to our rivers being in good fishing trim during the whole of the season, on account of the w*t spriug and summer we had. The Mimihau, good as it always has been, yielded more fine baskets than ever, and some.of those got are worth mentioning— Mr James Mitchell, in one day, 33 fish, weighing 64£lb : Mr J. Greenshields, 21 fish, 40ilb ; Sir A. M'lntosh, 17 fish, 351 b. These baskets were all taken with the bare fly. The Waipahi also fished exceedingly well. Many fine hwkets were got up to 401b. The Waiwera and Kuriwao still keep up their reputation, and the Water of Laitb, and Waitati yielded many large b-iske^s of small trout, from Jib to l£lb. All over the society's disfciict whoro diggers' tailings did not interfere with the fishing good sport was had. The enow-fed rivers were late in getting into good fishing trim on account of the large quantities of snow lying on the back country, but during the latter half of the season they proved as good as ever. Deer Stalking. — Fewer sportsmen visited the deer forests on the Morven Hills during this season, and the number of real good heads were scarce. As stated in another part of this report, Mr Blackwood got some very good heads, as also did Messrs Buchanan and Rhodes. Mr Ho'lgkiuaon wai also fairly succe.-sful, but we question if a really good head was ob:ained_ this year. If the stags have to endure hardships it seems to matai rially affect their antlers, although the condition of the animals now is all that could be deured. The usual number of sportsmen visited the haunts of the fallow daer in the Blue Mountains, and the majority of them got their quantity — namely, four — of bunks, many of them having fine heads. Those who started the shooting on the opening date for duoks at Strath-Taieri on the Ist of April made very good bags, as did those in the neighbourhood of Wyndham and Kaitangata lake. Shags.— The society spent £2n odd in bonuses for the destruction of these peats dining the p^st season, and y6uv council recommeud fcUat strict attention bo paid to the keeping of them out of our inland streams as much as possible by anglei'3 residing in the country districts. Poaching.— Several parties have been convicted during the past year for illegal practices, and on the whole we have reason to congratulate ourselves that this evil is not on the increase, mainly owing to the watchfulness of anglers and aportsnun in their own districts in preseiving what is really their own. Wild Rice Seed —At a cost of £20 five barrel? of wild rice seed wore obtained from the Central Expsrimetital Farm, Ottawa (Canada). Thh seed will be distributed through the society's district and Bown in favourable lagoons and swamps. It grows in water from 6in to 3ft or 4ft deep with a mud bottom. Should this plant grow in our waters it will afford another f»o4. supply far our wild ducks, and v>iil also be a great protection to young ducks from their enemy the hawk. .The best duck shojting in Canada is to be had where the wild rice abounds. We are indebted to Mr A. Lee Smith for procuring this seed for the society. Lobsters. — Nothing has been seen or heard of the nine lobsters liberated by the society a few years ago at the mole at the head*, hut for all that they may put in an appearance yet. Your council interviewed Captain Lev.iok (who brought out our shipment of birds) about the prospects of trying another shipment of lob^t -rs, and the probability is Captain Levack will try the experiment shortly on the bonus principle of £5 a pair for each pair landed in good condition up to 10 pairs. General.— The Otsgo Institute have informed U3 that they propose to take action in the direction of establishing a hatchery for marine fishes, and h.ive asked tbe co-operation of the society in this enterprise. Your council consider this a, matter of great importance, and would recommend the society to render every assistance in ibeir power. In the preservation of native fauna Mr Henry continues to do good work at Resolution Island I in removing birds from the mainland to the island and cutting tracks through the bush, Ac, &c. The society are again indebted to the Union Steam Ship Company and- the Railway department for the care of anything committed to their charge, and to the Government for keeping the 'two stags in qun-antineiree of cost. Mr James Edgar read the balance sheet, which showpd receipts £1012 lls lid, balance in hand £391 83 lid, assets £2223 10s 7d, and liabilities nil. Comparing the statement withthe one for tho previous year there was, he mentioned, a considerable falling of in the number of deer licenses and selling licenses. In this connection h* was, however, pleased to Bay the prospect for the incoming year was good, and that the receipts were likely to be nearer £100 than £36. There was also a deficiency of £26 in the amount received for fishing licenses. The expenditure on salaries had been the same, and the other items of expenditure hardly called for remark. There was a new item of expenditure in connfetion with furniture and lent of offi'!«;R (£3l los 9d), and consider.ib'e exi.oiisi had been g>ne to in importing d er. The statement on the whole, however, showed fcKafc good progrei s had been made by the society. T.he CHAiEarAN, referring to the report, said that regarding the importation of salmon ova undertaken by the Government: last year, he had just received a letter from Mr Rutherford, of the Wellington Society, to whose care the remnant of the ova had been committed. That; shipment had tamed eat badly, and fa

order to save some of id the Government handed it over to the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. Mr Rutherford mentioned in his letter that he had reported to the Government that 17,000 young salmon from the ova ex K»ikoura would ba ready to send out next week, and that the society had made the recommendation that bhese salmon be tamed ont iv one of the southern rivers. Jt was gratifying to lewn that the shipment had not been entirely lost. From Jthe 17,000 young salmon hatched oub it was probable that good results would come, but if the Government, instead of taking the recommendation of the acclimatisation societies on the matter, divided the young salmon and had them put in a number of rivers, those results would be lost. If they were all put in one river or committed to the charge of some society that would keep them in confinement uutil they were ready to nmke their way to the sea good results might follow from the shipinout. Members would be glad to learn that Mr Deans had this year been stripping a number of young salmon which had been reared from the egg in the ponds at Clinton, the result being that up to date he had 26,000 ova, and expected before the season was over to have 50,000. A large proportion of that would be hatched. That was from fish kept in oonSne*> ment, which showed conclusively that by oaraful treatment in that way successful results could bs obtained. The shipment of ova from Home was, of course, a risky matter, for, as in the case of the recent shipment of 200,000 ova, as they had been told, only 17,000 had been hatched. A letter from Mr Armistoad, the pisciculturist at Dumfries, who procarod the ova for the Government, had been received, and in this the writer said 1 : The salmon ova were duly shipped and should be nearly on your shores now. The superintendent of tho Tweed died suddenly just as the fishing for these ova was commencing, and as he had thematter entirely in his handß I was agood deal troubled to get these ova for you ; but by dint of much trouble I succeeded, and I sincerely hope they will be a success. I don't think that you will make them remain in your streams by keeping the fish three or four years in f roah water, but I rather incline to the belief that you may get a race of salmon peculiar to Naw Zealand after awhile. The weights of the fish in your lakes are wonderful. Examine their stomachs and ascertain very carefully on what^they feed and on what class of food they do the best, and cultivate that food. lam at anytime much interested in hearing of the success of fish culture in your country, and shall also be plad to assiot you in any way in which I may be able. "" He (the chairman) would just further express the hope that the society in distributing the fry from the 50,000 ova liß had mentioned would not distribute them in a great many rivers, but would select one river and put all there. By doing so there would be much more chance of the fish succeeding and coming back again. The next item in the report w«» "Red deer." It was gratifying to find that the red deer were spreading over the country. They had been seen as far north as Mount Cook and westward to Lake Wanafca, so that they were apreadmg over a va»t tract of country. An experiment had been made in getting new blood from Australia. Two stags had been sent to the Lindis distriofc, but, unfortunately, one of them had died owing to tbe severe winter. Tbe other had been aaved through the exertions of Mr M'Lean, who had fed ib and at'euded to it, and it was now a well-grown animal likely to do good in tha way of introducing fresh blood. The fallow deer had spread a little, but not to the same extent ss the red deer. A proposal had been made to try and catch some young fallow deer and liberate them about Catlin'a Cove, iv tho country towards the big bush extruding to Fovtrose. That w»s a suitable country, and if. they once get eafablished there they would poon •pread over an extensive tract of country. The society had done a great deal in the way of introducing birds. Through the kindness of Mr John Roberts when at Home they had been able to introduce some mallards and partridges. The mallards were under Mr Deans's charge at Clinton, and it was proposed'to breed from them and t ) distribute the young bir^s when ready. The partridges .had been taken oub to Mr Charters's farm at the Taieri, *nd were doing well there. Mr Charters had written stating that they were al there, and were often seen feeding close to his residence. It was probable, therefore, that this experiment would also be successful. With, regard to native game, as they wero aware, tbe season had been made a doss one for native pigeons, and he thought this was going to prove highly beneficial. He happened to know that native pigeons were very plentiful in some bushes. ' A few days ago he had seen a great number in the interior of O'»ago, and he thought that making a dose season .once every six years, as was done at present, a great deal would be done to protect buds and to increase their numbers. The pigeon was a bird that was not by any means shy, but was easy to shoot, so that unless protected there was a strong probability of its being exterminated in the neighbourhood of settlement. By having a close season now and again there was a chance !of it surviving. Ducks had been seen in large numbt-rs this seison, having been fu'ly an plentiful as last. Although a large number of paradise ducks hafl succumbed to the weather, both grey and paradise ducks were plentiful. The report dealt very fully regarding trout. ! There had been a good fishing season, and as trout had got more plentiful in nearly all the rivers. It was to be hoped that members of the society and those who took out licences would proti ct the trout— that they would try to digcourage poaching and do what they could in the way of killing shags. The £26 the society had paid for shags 1 heads was, he thought, money well spent. If they got rid of shags, no doubt the trcut would improve in many streams. He ought, also, to mention that nines the last meeting the society had obtained rooms of its own. At its office in the Exchange Court periodicals and books were kept, which any member would have an opportunity of perusing. A great deal of information that would be useful to members of the society was ktpt there. Ho had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet. Mr P. F. Stoddabt seconded the motion. The Rev. Rutherford Waddell congratulated the society upon the effort which had been m%de during the past year to introduce birds from Home. The report, from his point of view, was one of the most satisfactory reports that he had seen.- Henwas^glad to notice that a number of birds had been successfully imported from Home, and he hoped that the society would continue the good work that it bad begun in this direction. He was quite satisfied that it only needed vigorous aod wise efforts and our country would be redeemed from the present deeolateness that attached to it from a sportsman's point of view. He thought that there we're a number of other birds that the society might undertake this year to import. The peewit and golden plover could easily be introduced, and would do well in this country. There was another bird about which he could not speak personally, but he was informed that it was a bird that could be introduced, and would do- well here. He retoned fa tfw eapercftilsie, Xboa there were •

number of birds whioh might easily be obtained from Australia. He mentioned the spurwing plover and the snipe, which, he was informed, existed in great numbers in Victoria. Be thought the society was too r!cb, and that instead of ' hoarding up. their money they might still farther introduce birds into the colony. By doing that they would be carrying out the functions of the society and at the same time vastly improving the country. Thexe was another matter he might mention, and that watk the question of a gun tax. He thought the society would do well to consider that question. ' There was an immense amount of shooting going on in the colony, and he thought a gun tax might conduca to the growtli of the bird's l . and game, and not be any hardship on colonists. The other day he had a letter from the secretary of the Canterbury Society itating that that society would co-operate with axxf movement in the direotion that might be inaugurated. Ho believed if the Government were approached upon the matter something I might be done in the direotion ho hid indicated ; and he was quite satisfied that it would have a very good result. He congratulated tho society upon the introduction of wild ricev He regarded that as a most favourable step in the acclimatisation of birds. Ho had no doubt that when it spread?, as it would do, it would be a great boon to duelrs and aid materially in increasing their numbers throughout the country. Another matter the society should cauaider was an asylum for birds. They know that at Home that was the way that birds were preserved Jfco a large extent, and he would suggest that It might ba a wisa thing for the society to set aside one or two places in the country that might be reserved as an asylum for birds. The GHUfiir*N eaid the council of the society were quHe alive to ftbe matter* MrWaddsllhacl mentioned. With regard to peevrits and plovers, Mi* Roberts m^-da inqu'iriaa about thtsa birds when he was Home, and he wai informed that it woald be a very difficult .thing to get them at that saason of the year. Ai regard i the capercailzie, for many years it was extinct in Scotland, and was only to be got in the north of Sweden. About 40 years ago it vras reiutroducad into Scotland, and a good many found that it waa not an unmixed bles-.ing-, as it lived on young shoots of spruce firs, and destroyed young plantations largely. As regards a gun tax, the society had over and over again recommended the Government to impose a g m tax, but the people up country said it was necetstry to have guns to keep down the rabbits. A* regards an asylum, the diffiV oulty was the scarcity of lake*. The only lakes on the low lands w«re Wftihola, Kaitangata, and Tuafeitoto, and these were very largely used by sportsmen. The motion for the adoption of the report was subsequently put and carried. EJECTION OF OFFICERS. The following offi r e-bearers wero electpd for the enaaing year : — President, Mr J. P. Mainland ; vice-president, Me A. O Bagg ; treasurer, Mr James Edg.tr ; secretary, Mr D. Russell ; auditor, Mr T. Moo die. Tho retiring members of the council -Messrs G. M. Marshall, R. Forre&t, and A. C. Stron»ch— were re-eteofced. MirJFOBD SOUND. Mr Hugh Macnkil brought under tho notice of tbe meeting "a letter he had rccsived from I Mr D.m»!d Sutherland, of Mrf >ed Sound, and I moved — " Taut the request of Mr Sutherland I receive the favourable consideration of the council in so far as it is pr»ctic%ble." The motion was unanimously agreed to. Mr Sutherland's letter was as follows .— I now take tbe opportunity of sending you m few notes, according to promise, of matters regarding this pirt that I think it would be grtatly to the interest of ths Acclimatisation Society to sea to. It is probably well known to tha society that there are very few native grasses that bear seeds to afford food for birds such as ducks, pheasants, quail, &c. If some wild rice seed, prairie grass seed, and others were sent round I should be only too pleased to sow the seeds along the banks of the streain-i th;*t flow into the Hound, and thua render them a suitable habitat for many wild fowl that are at present conspicuous chiefly by their absence. On the mountain tops above the bush there are excellent pasture grounds for deer to feed on during summer. The panax, broadleaf, and similar .trees in the bush would supply thiir wants dnring winter ; and as the mountains avo too steep to b« of service for ordinary pastoral work they would make a grand hunsng grouud if stocked with deer of various sorts. I believe if a few bares wore liberated in the Arthur Valley they would do fairly well, as there is now a considerable amount of English grass growing on the clearings around the old prison camp and road. A few pheasants and quail would be very acceptable for liberation : also some Scotch burn trout for the streams in Harrison's Cove and Sin bad Gully, iv which so fur no fish havo beea put. It maybe interesting to the socioty to know that .success continues to attend their former work in this locality. Great numbers of trout or salmon are seen from titne to time in the Arthur river. An old Scotch fisherjnan who came dowa Lake Ada the other day declared it would be the Loch Leven of this part. The day was calm, and hundr-'ds of small fish wero seen rising to flies on tho surface of the wat«r. The doctor belonging to HIS Rapid, which called at tho Sound recently, was successful in landing the first hout ever taken from the Arthur river. He lost two or three others, and the one he caught bad evidently been down to the sea. The opossums »1 o continue to thrive well: Borne of them are to be seen every now and again. . . .