ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 38

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the council of. the Otago Acclimatisatior- Society was held on the 31st; present—Messrs G. W. MTntqsh (president), Hungerford, Islip, C. Wilson, Conn, Cousins, Rutherford, Cowie, Long, Robinson, and Baker. The Game Committee recommended that the deer on Mr W. Telford's station, be liberated at the Silver Peaks. A letter had been received from, the Department for Internal Affairs advising that the Minister was granting a three-months' season for quail, mallard, grey and spoonbill duck, teal, and black swan, from May 1 to July 31, with a season of one month for paradiseduck. The Department of Internal Affairs had written advising that the police had been instructed to sell certain opossums that had been, seized and pay the proceeds over to the society. The Southland Society had written that it- had decided to/ have -a. shooting season of three months for hares, grey duck, pukeho, and black swaa; withone month for paradise duck. The secretary of the Waitaki Society had- written saying that his society had applied for a season of one month from May 1 for all game, including paradise duck,, but the application had not yet been granted.—The report was adopted, with the exception of the first clause, in which connection it was decided to liberate the deer on Whitecombe, Upper Pomahaka.

In connection with Ranger- Pellett's report, the Angliing- Committee recommended that certain preliminary work be done. A communication from the Secretary of the Marine Department, Wellington, had been received intimating that the holder of a trout fishing license could fish for trout and salmon in any river up to April 30, but that the number of salmon to be taken in one day was restricted to six. The Minister of Marine had written saying that a letter from the society in reference to the protection of trout in rivers where the hydro-electrio scheme was to be installed would be placed on record. The committee recommended that a letter from Mr C. A. Whitney, Auckland, with reference to the destruction of trout be referred to the council. —Adopted. The letter from Mr Whitney referred to in the Angling Committee's report caused some discussion. The letter had reference to the use of explosives (carbide of calcium in lemonade bottles and other explosives) for killing and taking fish. This was becoming very prevalent throughout New Zealand, and the writer suggested that owners of motor cars instruct their drivers that in the event of following such a course they would be prosecuted. He further suggested that the way to meet the evil was to invite the hearty co-operation of all

Automobile Associations throughout New Zealand.—lt was stated that some men had been to the Waikouaifci River, had used an electric torch by putting 1 it under water, and had speared the trout.—lt was finally decided to receive Mr Whitney's letter.

It was deoided to liberate trout up to 51b weight in the Tomahawk Lagoon, as usual.