ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3398, 30 April 1919, Page 22

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held on the 28tn. Mr G. W. MTntosh presided, and there were also present Messrs Baker, A. B. Jenkins, O. Wilson, Butterworth; C. S 3. Jenkins, Isiip, Long, Black, Conn, and Rutherford.

Trie Angling Committee reported that it had received an intimation from Mr W. G. Hay, solicitor, advising that a man had been iined £2 lor fishing without a license. Mr W. Phillipps, Wellington, had written asking if the society had been successful at Opoho in crossing brown and rainbow trout. —The letter had been received. Mr Barratt, North Taieri, had written as to the eels in the Catling River, and had suggested that Messrs Wilson and Goodsjr, Tawanui, be asked if they would take charge of eel pots. The committee recommended that Mr Barrett be informed that if the gentlemen named would write to the secretary for eel traps the application would receive consideration. Mr James Robson, Niagara, had written forwarding a cheque for licenses, and had expressed disappointment that no trout had been sent forward last year. —The committee recommended that Mr Robson be informed that the society would put the Waikawa Stream on the allocation fist for next season. The committee recommended that Mr. Topping, Catlins district, be written to and asked if he was wiling to act as honorary ranger. The committee recommended that permits to fish be granted" three returned soldiers for "the remainder of the season. —Adopted. The Game Committee reported having received a telegram from the Department of Internal Aifairs stating that pukeko might be included in the list of birds to bo shot. A later communication stated that one month's season, from May L would be allowed for shooting pukeko, with a limit of 12 birds per day. The secretary of the South Canterbury Society had written that its open season ran from the Ist to the 14th May, inclusive, and that the following" game might be shot: —Mallard duck, wild geese, grey duck, black teal, paradise duck, and black swan. The Waimate Society had written stating that application had been made for an open season for grey duck, swan' and pukeko for July only, and had been informed that a warrant would be issued Shortly. Constable Almond, Balclutha, had written that the opossums' skins seized from a man had .been sold for £3 10s. had been agreed to recommend that half the amount be handed over to the constable. It had been resolved to thank Mr Cotter, of Hawea Flat, for suggestions as to next stalking season. 1 hecommittee recommended that the society again write to the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Public Works, strongly urging the necessity for grantmg financial assistance towards the cost of culling the red deer herd at Hawea.—The report was adopted. The Marine Depaiiment wrote that thequestion of prohibiting worm fishing in the trout rivers was under consideration, but before coming to a decision the opinion of the society was asked.—Mr Butter Worth moved that the society support tho abolishing of worm fishing, and this was seconded by Mr Wilson, and, after discussion, lost. The question of approaching the Repatria--tion Board as to employing suitable returned soldiers the cullinj of

2ie deer herds was raised, and it was deded that a committee consisting of the president (Mr M'lntosh), Messrs Butterworth, and Cowie interview the chairman of- the board on the subject.