OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 59

OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION

The ordinary monthly meoting of the Council of the Otago Acelunr<ii-:,ution Societ> wsn, JiL-Id on Friday afternoon, aad-

was attended by Mr R. Chisholm (in the chair). It. Forrest, S. M'Donald, A. E. Farquhar. and the Hon. T. Fergus. Messrs F. Deans (manager) and D. Russoll (secretary) were also present.

Mr C. P. M. Butterworth wrote applying for leave of absence, as he intended leaving in a few days, on a visit to England. — Leave of absence was granted for the remainder of the year.

The Rev. W. A. R. Fitchctt, Clyde, wrote with reference to the hut on the Fraser River, suggesting that the council should increase the sum voted for repairs from £15 to £20. — It was decided to adhere to the resolution previously passed.

Mr Hugh Pollen, Colonial Secretary's Office, wrote asking the council to make recommendations for the consideration of the Colonial Secretary with respect to the kinds of native and imported game which could be taken or killed during the open season (May 1 to July 31), and also regarding the kinds of native and imported game which could be sold. The writer also stated that native pigeons, kaka. and puhaki could not be taken or killed this year. — The matfer was referred to the executive.

The Town Clerk wrote with reference to the proposed erection of weirs in the Water of Leith. stating that the matter had been referred to the city engineer with power to act. The Chairman stated that Mr Allen suggested that the most inexpensive and most practicable weirs in the Leith could be made of sheep netting and stones. — It was decided that the committee set up by the society should arrange to see Mr Allen early next week if possible.

Hugh Wilson, ranger, Poolburn Gorge, wrote stating that owing to dry weather the Poolburn Creek was quite dry, and a great many trout had died. Hs and another man had saved about 300, weighing from £lb to 31b, and had_ shifted them to tho Idaburn Creek. The work had occupied nearly three days, and he had paid the other man £1. — The secretary was instructed to write to Mr M'Connochie, the society's agent, asking him to compensate the men, on behalf of the society, for the trouble they had taken.

The Manager. (Mr F. Deans) reported that the annual overhaul to all the ponds, boxes, trays, etc., had been going on for some time. The season had been a particularly busy one, as there was a very much larger number of fish and ova to handle and distribute than usual. The total number of fish dealt with during the season was about 1,188,750, made up as follows: — Ova — Loch Leven trout, 57,000 ; Rainbow trout. 186,000. Fry — Brown trout, 634,000; Loch Leven trout, 132,000; Scotch Burn trout, 87,000 ; and Brook trout, 37,000 ; and also yearlings of various species, 7750 ; making a total of 945,750 fish and 243,000 ova. Mr Steven had been repairing the fences and replacing a number of old wooden connections with glazed earthenware piping, making a clean and permanent job. At Opoho the No. 2 pond had been puddled on the side next the creek, the old puddled wall having in some places been completely "undermined. It was now keeping full with a comparatively small run of water.'- During the late rains one or two small slips had taken place, but these would be cleared away as soon as possible. He thought that all the huts, which it had been decided to erect on the most inaccessible portions of the Pomahaka River (four huts), Waipahi (two), Puerua (one), and Owaka (one) would be finished this week, except that on the Owaka. This being the last meeting of the financial year he wished to mention the names of the following gentlemen who had very kindly rendered assistance in distiibuting fish during the past season: — Mr M'Connaehie (St. Bathans). who was always ready in the cause of acclimatisation, Mr Shennan (Berwicjc). Mrs S. D Smith (Middlemarch), and Mr Fraser (Wedderburn). — The report was approved and adopted. Mr Steven, manager at Clinton, wrote stating that he had visited the falls in the Upper Catlin's River, and found that there were a few small steps in the centre. So far as ho could learn, no fish had been seen above the falls, and he recommended that one or two large steps be made in tho falls by removing some of the rocks. — The report was adopted, and Ranger M'Kenzie was appointed to make some steps in the falls.