ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 9

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held on January 31, and was attended by Messrs C. P. M. Butterworth (president), Cowie, Long, Reid, C. Wilson, Turner, Williams, Hutchison, White, Dodshun, Baker, Obnan, and Rutherford. ANGLING COMMITTEE. The Angling Committee’s report stated that the Conservator of Forests, Christchurch, would communicate with the society with regard to the planting at Manorburn. . The remainder of the report of the Angling Committee contained communications from the Marine Department regarding the appointment of one or more rangers as hon. inspectors under part I of the Fisheries Act.—On the motion of Mr Butterworth it had been decided to recommend that Messrs Pellet and Campbell be appointed hon. inspectors under the Fisheries Act.

An intimation that the length of any net, used for taking quinnat salmon, should not exceed 80 yards, had been received.

The District Engineer of the Public Works Department had written in regard to an application from Mr M'Cubbin for permission to place a flat-bottom boat on the Manorburn dam for angling purposes. The committee recommended that permission be granted. Mr J. S. Barlow, secretary of the Anglers’ Club, Clinton, wrote that a gold medal had been won by W. J. Barlow, who had caught 20 fish, weighing in the aggregate 181 b. A letter from the Teviot Anglers Club, asking for fry, etc., had been received. Mr A. I. Stirling wrote stating that he had cleaned the banks of the Wyndham River, in front of his property, of gorse and broom.—Mr Stirling to be thanked for his efforts. ,

The Secretary of the Mataura Anglers’ Club wrote asking if the promise of last year for an eeling competition held good for the current year.—The committee resolved that particulars of prizes for eeling competition be forwarded. Fred M‘Kay wrote asking if' he could rent the cottage at the hatchery for two months.—Property not to be let. The report was adopted.

The Gome Committee reported concerning a variety of matters. The Department of Internal Affairs had written asking for the • secretary’s suggestions _ regarding the open season for deer shooting. Suggestions sent on advising that it had been decided to give effect to recommendations about limiting the number of ' stags’ heads and also number of points.—Received. Advising that the question of liberating opossums in special areas had been submitted to Cabinet which was opposed to the proposal. Inquiring if the society desired an open season this year for the taking of opossums.—Received.— The society did not approve of an open season for opossums for the current year. The society had sent oh the regulations and forwarded a warrant authorising the society to take Mallard duck from the

Waikouaiti lagoon and transfer them to other waters in the district.—Received.

Isaac Taylor, Hunter Valley, had written stating that James Muir had handed in 1344 deer "tails to date and asking for a payment on account also letter dated December 14 saying that Muir had handed in 173 more deer tails and 58 deerskins.— Received. To be asked if the skins have been forwarded to Dunedin. J. Watts, Glova Bay. had written stating that Boyd was unable to go stalking, and offered to take his place.—The committee recommended that the offer be acceptd. D. Urquhart wrote advising that Con. Hodgkinson had handed in 728 deer tails, shot in the Makarora.

The Zoological Gardens, Aliporti, Calcutta. had written advising that 40 chikkor had been shipped in good condition by the Waihora, also that a letter had been received from Messrs Hoarem, Miller, and Co., Calcutta, who supervised the shipment. -—Received. To be informed that only eight birds arrived alive, and point out that- the boxes were unsuitable. —It was moved by Mr Rutherford and seconded by Mr : Stewart that the birds be kept for breeding. It was moved by Mr Butterworth and seconded by Mr Turner that a list of sanctuaries be printed and handed to holders of shooting licenses! It was moved by Mr Reid, seconded by Mr Rutherford, that the Hawea plantation be named “The Holmes Plantation,” in memory of the late Mr Holmes. The report was adopted.