ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 54

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the Acclimatisation Society, bel-i on Friday afternoon, was attended by Messrs A. E. Farquhar (in the chair), R. Forrest, G. M. Marshall, Dr de Lautour, S. M 'Donald, D. Cooke, F. Deans, D. Russell (secretary), and William M'Connoohie (St. Bathans). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs R. T. Wheeler and T. Brown. MR DEANS' S REPORT. Mr F. Deans reported as follows: — The fish having been all liberated, the hatcheries and hatching boxes were being got in leadiness for the -winter's •work. A number of perch' has been secured, and a consignment of 50 sent 1o Roxburgh. There are still some applicants to be supplied with some of these fish. The Governmenc, who recently imported a large shipment of birds and animals, has handed to this society for liberation four pintail ducks and 10 Canadian geese. These are at presant confined in the aviaries at the Clinton hatchery, and will probably be liberated at the cJose ot the shooting | season. Having bes\i asked to report on the discrepancy in tire number of yearlings from the fry stuge, Mr Deans stated that it was a difficult matter to account for the discreparcy, but he would point out a few things which may contribute towards it. There Is the food, cannibalism, the shape of the ponds, . iha tomp6Tß,tato, and iha class of &sh invaxi- j

ably kept for yearlings. Fry fed entirely on mutton cannot be so strong as those living 011 their natural food 111 the rivers, as in the ponds they get very l.ttle natural food. The ponds again are not the best shape for encouraging the growth of natural food, but being deep are probably the better for artificial feeding, as the fish like to catch their food before *t reaches the bottom. Cannibalism, 110 doubt, contributes considerably to the cause of the discrepancy, but having such a large number of stock fish on hand at present, there are no ponds available for carrying on drafting operations satisfactorily. With regard to temperature, the rainbow fry especially, are very sensitive to the effects of a sudden change in temperature, either from a high to a low, or from a low to a high, when the dead can be picked up in considerable numbers. Now, as to the class of fish usually kept for yearlings, these are in general the offspring of the stock fish — the progeny of fish that have never had their liberty, and that have been fed continually on meat, getting little or no natural food. Usually, about one-third of the ova of these fish are infertile, and those that do hatch cannot be expected to be so strong and vigorous as the fry produced by the wild fish. He would recommend that the present stock of fish be reduced after the spawning season. «-This would give more room for carrying on operations more satisfactorily.

It was recommended that, as the fish in this hatchery had by interbreeding become almost infertile, a fresh supply should be obtained. — It was accordingly decided to instruct Messrs Chisholm and Begg to secure a fresh supply of ova while on their visit Home.

THE CLINTOX HATCHERIES.

Mr Steven, reporting on the Clinton hatcheries, stated" that during the month the surplus fry and yearlings have been liberated, a small supply of 2000 Loch Leven fry having been sent to Blue Lake, in the Waikaia district. As this rather difficult work was voluntarily performed by a few anglers in that district, it is to be hoped that some day their labour will be rewarded by a few good baskets. He regretted he did not manage to get the yearlings intended for the Upper Catlins liberated in that stream owing to a hitch in the arrangement. „ Since the hatcheries have been cleared of fish some attention has been given to overhauling and repairing hatching boxes. The boxes in the old hatchery he removed outside, fully expecting in return a new building. He regretted to hear that such is not to be the case, but was dressing the boxes and replacing the worst of the old ones with new ones. This week a consignment of 10 Canadian geese and four pintail ducks have been forwarded here. These have been placed in two separate aviaries, and seem to take very well to their new quarters.

Referring to Mr Steven's remarks as to his regret at not getting a new building, the Chairman stated \ that Mr Steven was evidently writing under a misunderstanding. The hatchery was to be proceeded with at once, and the present building, being a very eld one, required "renewing entirely.

GENBKAI-.

A letter was received from the' Tourist Department asking what recommendations the society deeired to make for this season with regard- to the kinds of imported game and the kinds of native game which may be taken or killed during the open season ; also, the kinds of imported and native game which may be, sold. — The society decided to recommend Jkares and Californian quail as the imported game, and pigeons, swamp hens, and kakas as the native game which may be taken or killed. In answer to the inquiry as to what imported or native game should be sold, it was decided to recommend none. — The Tourist Department also notified that the usual dates of commencement and duration of the open season, also the fees to kill and sell game, had been fixed by the Animals Protection Act. The Chairman referred to the Tourist Department's gift of Canadian geese and pintail ducks, which were to be retained for breeding purposes, with a view to liberation in other parts of the colony. A vote of thanks was passed to the department for its e\ift, but it was decided to write stating that the society has now had this class of duck in confinement for over 10 years, and none of them had during that time been known to lay an egg. That would appear to 'show that they would be of no use for breeding purposes. The meeting then went into committee.