THE SPOTTED BEAUTIES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12454, 21 September 1933, Page 5

THE SPOTTED BEAUTIES.

PAHIATUA ANGLERS' CLUB.

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. Marked enthusiasm was displayed at a very largely-attended annual meeting of the Pahiatua Anglers 7 Club, held last evening in Mr P. J. Matthews’ office. The president, Mr J. Hutton, occupied the chair. The president welcomed all to the meeting and particularly the new members. He was glad to see among the latter Mr N. A. Prussing, the new police constable in charge of the local station, who was a very keen sportsman both with the gun and the rod. There was no doubt he would be of material assistance and would be an acquisition to sport in the district. Other new faces they were glad to see and the assistance of these members would be welcomed by the club at a- time when loyal co-operation was more than ever needed.

The annual report was as follows: /‘The period under review can be regarded as having been most successful in every respect.. Of particular satisfaction to your committee is the fact that anglers of the district took a greater interest in the affairs of the club and the welfare of the sport.

“This is manifest, from the increased membership which stood at 31 financial members—probably a record for the club. As this number represents only a quarter of the license-holders of the district it is hoped that in the forthcoming season the proportion will lie greatly increased.

“The club is indebted to the I'oillow ing gentlemen for their generous donations: The president. Mr A. A. Vaughan and Mr A. J. Morgan.

“Four competitions were held during the season and these were keenly and enthusiastically contested. They resulted as follows:—Reel competition: Mr \Y. A. Harley • second (Mr A. A. Vaughan s trophy), Mr F. F. Barraclough. Vaughan Cup: Mr W. Fergus. Brown Cup: Master J>. Eddie; E. W. Eddie's trophy), Master G. Fergus. Mr A. J. Morgan’s trophy for heaviest bag: Mr H. K. Mann.

‘.‘ln addition to the above competitions the club was represented in matches against Woodville, Danneyirke, Palmerston North and Feildmg for the Stock well Cup. “lour club met Dannevirke in the final and suffered defeat bv a narrow margin, this being the first year the club lias failed to hold the cup. “the usual distribution of fry—--20,<j00 in each or the local streams — was undertaken by members in conjunction with tire curator of the hatchery during the year. r ‘ ‘Ve have to thank the members - the W oodvilie, Dannevirke and Palmerston North clubs for the hospitality extended to us at social functions held in these centres. “In accordance with the decision made earlier in the year vour club held a smoke concert after*'the close of the season. The chairman and secretary of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society favoured us with their presence and kindred clubs in the neighbouring districts were well represented. The function, though the first of its kind promoted by the club, was a pronounced success and will, it is hoped, be the forerunner of many happy gatherings in the future. “In addition to the trophies held h y the club for' contest purposes, a very valuable cup has been presented to your club by Mr J. Brassell for competition purposes. The conditions of this competition have yet to be determined. “There are many features of angling which might Very well engage the attention of your club during the forthcoming year, and which would assist towards improving the conditions of angling and in consequence the angler himself. A few of these matters we believe are : “(1) A more equitable allotment of fish from the Wellington Acc hmatisation Society. There is not the slightest doubt that the Pahiatua sub-committee does not obtain the fair allocation which the district merits. For instance for the current year we are receiving 70,000 brown trout fry only, which com- • s most unfavourably with adjoining sub-committees. The only conclusion we can arrive' at is that Society is not prepared to treat each district on its merits and the question arises whether it is worth while trying to co-operate -with such a body. The economy ‘bug’ will, when we protest, be again thrown at us, but the Society unwisely has money to ‘fritter away’ in wild cat trapping schemes at Palmerston North, knowing, or they should know, tliat it never would be a success and the ova is of a- very inferior quality. Perhaps your club might very well turn its attention towards finding out whether more favourable treatment would be received from Hawke’s Bay Society and then concentrate on having Pahiaf sferred to that Society, if it was thought advisable to do so. “(2) Your committee has concluded that the ranging and general control oi our fishing streams leaves much to he desired. A perusal of trie monthly records of ranging in tin- "Wellington Acclimatisation Soei--et.y district shows this district to be practically neglected. In fact vour committee believes that costs under this heading could be substantially reduced end the savings utilised in buying additional fry which would show a better return.

“If angling in this Dominion is not to.be the rich man’s sport, some endeavour by co-operation only among anglers will require to be made to get down the cost of tackle. The prices quoted in some instances are far beyond the ‘pocket’ of many of our best sportsmen owing to the prevailing economic conditions, and it is just a question whether these conditions will allow us to retain their support. We feel sure) that this club will do the right thing by any of its members who are ‘up against it.’

“In conclusion your committee extends to all members its thanks for co-operation during the past season and best wishes for the year 193334.” Mr E. W. Eddie asked what would be termed the Pahiatua district if they transferred to Hawke’s Bay. Would it be the Pahiatua County?

Mr Hutton: “That is the area it would embrace.”

Mr A. Pratt: “Do you really think we would get any better treatment ?” Mr Huttoii: “That is a matter we will require to find out first.” He said he did not think there was the slightest doubt that for the mileage of water, streams they had to stock and quality of the water this district did not get sufficient fish. Yet anglers came here regularly from outside districts and if the fishing was worth having it was worth keeping up. Palmerston North received a greater allocation than Pahiatua yet did not have the number of streams or length of water that Pahiatua had. “Every tin-pot stream” round Wellington received a special allocation and got more fish than the Pahiatua district. Even Eketahuna, which stocked only one river, the Makakahi, received 60,000 fry as against 70,000 for the whole of the Paliiatua area.

Mr E. W. Eddie: .“We can’t have more water than Palmerston North though ?” Tlie president : “Why ?’ ’ Mo* Eddie; “Because it all goes through the Gorge.” (Daughter). In. reply to Mr F. Parkes, the president agreed, that the capacity of the hatchery at Dannevirke was very small.

Mr Parkes: “We might not do any better from them then if they can only hatch a small quantity.” He added that he thought it might P«.v Pahiatua to buy their own eggs the same as Masterton had done (from the South Island).

Mr Hutton said lie did not think it the function of an Anglers’ Club or sub-committee to start buying its own fry to stock rivers that are available ior anglers from any district who come here to fish. Mr A. Morgan thought it would he suicide altogether to join the Hawke’s Bay Society though he agreed that Pahiatua at present was not getting a fair allocation. Asked if he had protested yet about the inadequate allocation the president said lie had not. only to their representative. He had left it until the annual meeting. Mr Prussing said that the publicity given this matter should influence the parent body. They would get no consideration unless they kicked up a fuss. The president said that actuallv the Society was fully aware of the position but took no 'notice. Mr A. Pratt then moved that the \\ ellmgton Acclimatisation Society be advised that the Pahiatua Anglers’ Club considers the allocation of iry entirely inadequate. Unless better treatment is received Pahiatua will seek transfer to the Hawke’s Bay area. Ibis was seconded hy Mr F. Barraclough and carried unanimously. The question was asked as to the mileage of water in this district and the president said it was approximately as follows: Nlakuri River at te as l> 35 miles: Mangahao at least 40. Makakahi 8 to 10 miles, Vlangatamoka at least 15, also part of the TiraumeS, one side of the Manawatu, the Makuri stream and different creeks, a total of between 200 and 300 miles of water altogether The high cost of fishing tackle was discussed briefly. The bala nee-sheet disclosed a credit of £o 13s sd, the president remarking that it was a verv gratilying position. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. ERECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr J. Robertson was unanimously re-elected patron. Mr Hutton, in retiring from the presidency, thanked the members lor their assistance and co-operation m lurthering the interests of the elub in the district. His duties had been made very easy indeed because of the very able secretary, Mr R- H. Taylor, who was efficiency itselT 1 lie fact that the membership had increased sq substantial! v was due, mainly, to his push in getting members to join up. Mr Hutton considered it should be a standing resolution of the club that a country and then a town member hold the office of president alternately. He thought that for the current year the club would be very well advised to appoint a country member as president and he would move to this effect. Mr A Pratt thought the country members were quite satisfied with the chairman they had. A town chairman was more satisfactory as was on the job all the time. Mr E. Eddie, as a country mem- . thought that Mr Pratt was right in his contention. As there was no seconder to Mr Huttons proposal the motion lapsed. Mr Pra'tt then nominated Mr Hutton ior re-election as president and this was seconded by Mr P J Matthews. ¥\? Ut 4 on P ro POsed Mr Matthews and Mr ft K. Mann proposed Mr li r ott. Neither gentleman was allowed to decline nomination but

a. ballot on a show of hands resulted m the election, by an overwhelming majority, of Mr Hutton. Last year’s vice-presidents were re-elected with the addition of Messrs X. Prussing and J. H. Brown. It was decided that the committee comprise all active financial members.

Messrs A. Morgan and H. K. Mann were nominated for the position of selector of the teams for the Stock well Cup competition, Mr Morgan being elected. Mr E. Edcfie objected to the club conducting too many competitions. Anglers should fish ior the sport ot it instead oi for trophies. If the competitions were to be continued he maintained that a local rule should be made fixing the minimum size qf the fish at 12 inches. He moved accordingly and this was seconded,* by Mr F. Barraclough and

Messrs H. K. Mann and A. Pratt advocated that the club bold a competition again this year. As a variation Mu* AV. Feasey moved that the club ru 11 three oneday competitions for trophies valued at 10s. This was carried. The conditions are that the first series be fished off scratch and the •second and third on handicap, the result to be decided by numbers, not weight. The competitions are to be fished on any river in the district, the first series to be carried out on the third Sunday in October Messrs A. Pratt, F. Parkes and -H. Ix. Mann were appointed handic a.ppers.

ft was decided that the Brassell ( up be allocated to the angler landing the heaviest fish during the season. The names of the winners ot all three cups are to be installed on the trophies at the expense of the club.

A letter was read from the Wellington Acclimatisation Society regarding a suggestion made to them by the Wanganui sub-committee w-lio desired that a close season for ducks be observed for one year. Wellington, whose opinion was sought, reported it considered that the conditions governing imported and natural game should be the same as in previous years, in other words the Wanganui proposal was not supported.—Received.

Several small accounts were passed for payment. It was "agreed that the club be represented at the Feilding Anglers' Club smoke concert on 22nd inst Votes of thanks to Mr P. ;T. Matthew's ior the use of his room, the press and the chair terminated the meeting.