ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 82

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Council of. the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held on February 28, Mr C. P. M. Butterworth presiding. 'lhe other members of the' council present were Messrs Williams, Cowie, Rutherford, Long, Aburn. Baker, Hutchison, Turner, Wilson, Howes, Reidj Stewart, Dodgshun, White, and Tennent. TOMAHAWK LAGOON. Mr F. W. Pellett reported that he had found a number of dead fish in the Tomahawk Lagoon, and gave it as his opinion that they had been poisoned.—Mr Wilson said he thought it was due to hot weather and a want of shade. They could do nothing that he knew to prevent it. —The Chairman remarked that they could do some tree planting. The cutting of the weed was thought to have had something to do with it.—The report was received. LINDSAY’S CREEK. Mr Pellett also reported upon a visit to Lindsay’s Creek (Water of Leith). He had seen two dead fish. He had made inquiries into the matter, and it had been, asserted that the trouble arose through discharge from certain works in the NorthEast Valley. He had interviewed two parties, and expressed the opinion that an outlet should be closed. Speaking generally*'of the creek, it was a perfect disgrace to see the debris thrown into it.—■ The Chairman said this was a serious matter. It was a stream close to the town, and they should do their best to put a stop to what was happening. They had written a letter about the matter, but the parties had not replied.—lt was decided that the parties be asked what steps had been taken to abate the trouble, a member of the council remarking that they should be told that the council would have to take action unless something was done. —Mr Wilson volunteered to see the parties about the matter during the week. GAME COMMITTEE S REPORT. The Game Committee reported having received the following communications from the Department of Internal Affairs: — Acknowledging receipt of a letter asking for a close season for opossums, and stating that the matter would receive consideration. Enclosing a copy cf the notification respecting the open season for deer in the Otago district. Giving authority for Mr J. R. Dickison to keep two live pukeko. The committee reported further that block 21 (Waterfall block), in the Hunter Valley, had been allotted Mr G. Howes, at £3 per rifle. Mr S. A. Stevens had written suggesting that too many deer tags were gpven to stalkers, and the letter had been received. Mr E. Jayet, Balclutha, had written stating that he would be pleased to give the society one of the bitterns he had found. — Mr Jayet to be thanked. Mr Jas. Buckley. Hawea Elat, had written advising that he had handed 1444 red deer tails to Isaac Taylor: also giving particulars of the number culled on the various blocks for season 1926. The committee recommended that contracts be fixed for the culling of 2400 deer during 1527, and that the culling be done as follows: —600 stags or hinds of "very description on blocks 11. 12, and 13. Seven hundred and fifty hinds or weedy stags only from blocks 14, 15, IS, 17, 18. 19. 20. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and also 30, and 1050 hinds of any ago malformed, weedy, and old stags, on blocks 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36. The committee recommended that C. Hodgkinson be requested to send in a report of the number and condition of ihe deer on the country over which ho culled, and also to give his recommendations regarding the culling required for the Makurora for 1927.—Adopted. ANGLING COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Angling Committee reported having received from the Marine Department regulations regarding the taking of whitebait. The following orders had keen received for ova: —North Canterbury Society, 50,000 eyed rainbow ova; Auckland Society, 50,000 eyed brown ova ; Waitaki Society, 50,0CX) Scotchburn fry. lhe committee recommended that Mr G. Howes be supplied with an eel trap for use in the Waitati stream.—Adopted. GENERAL. It was decided to order 25 pairs of chikor. Mr Turner said that this had been a late season for most things. He had received word from friends at Waihola that ducks were still on the nest hatching, and it might be advisable to consider whether they should open the season in June instead of May. He thought that if the birds were a month older they would get a better chance. He thought it was a question that should really be looked into. Only last week clutches of little ducks had been seen at Maori Lake.—At the suggestion of a member, who said it was too late to do anything this year, it was agreed to mention the matter next year.