ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 39

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, August 18. The annual conference of New Zealand acclimatisation sooieties opened to-day. Mr L. O. H. Tripp, who presided, said it was of the utmost importance that the Animal Protection Act and the Fisheries Act should bo amended. The importance of the proposed amendment related to the destruction of fish by explosives. A great deal of dynamiting was going on in the Wellington district; but in these days of motor cars the detection of the offenders was very difficult. A severe penalty should be inflicted for a first offence, and gaol without the option of a fine for a second offence. He iirged that the islands cdjacent to the dominion should be set apart as eanctuaries. The Government reserved 4384 acres on Kapiti Island as sanctuaries, and he- contended that the remaining 600 acres, which were owned by the Maoris, should also be set aside for that purpose. Robins and herons on Kapiti Island had shown an increase. He suggested reducing the number of acclimatisation societies, those remaining to be made larger. If that were done there would be a better chance of getting a larger grant from -the Government. The societies had created a valuable dominion asset, and it was tho duty of, the Government to give ' them a substantial grant. He contended that opossums should not be protected in fruit-grow-ing areas or in places apart from the large areas of native bush; also that a license should be issued by the societies to trap opossums during certain months in the year, and that all persons selling opossum skins should be licensed. If it was properly developed, the opossum trade in New Zealand, which is at present worth £15,000 a year, could be increased three times.

Mr_E. Stead (Canterbury) urged that the societies combine in offering- a big reward for anyone giving evidence leading to the conviction of a person shooting a white heron.

Mr L. O. H. Tripp was re-elected president.

The conference adopted a Canterbury remit recommending the absolute prohibition of the use of auto-loading guns for feathered, imported, and native game. On the recommendation of the North Canterbury Society, it was decided to recommend that the minimum penalty for the illegal shooting of game should be £lO. with £1 for each head of game taken. With a view to assisting rangers, in coping with noaching. it' was agreed that an annual license of 2s 6d be imposed upon all persons carrying or using a shotgun for the purpose of shooting. The danger of the indiscriminate use of the pea rifle was -emphasised in several remits, arising - out of which it was resolved to recommend the Government to impose further restrictions in this connection, with a view to the regulation of the size of "bags." A remit was passed limiting the number of decoys to 25 per man, and prohibiting the use of river decoys.

The council was instructed to go into the question of the advisableness of importing "rmusk rat" and "beaver" into the dominion.

Several remits were adopted urging substantial increases in penalties for illegal fishing. In the case of dynamiting, liming, and the like, it was recommended that the minimum fine be not less than £2O, and the maximum not more than £SO. It was decided to request the Government to prohibit all netting at mouths of rivers.