areas. Acclimatisation Society.

Southland Times, Issue 11901, 24 November 1891, Page 2

areas. Acclimatisation Society.

-^> A meeting of the Council of this Society was held at the offices of the Loan Company, Crescent, yesterday evening. Present — Messrs J. Turnball (president, in the chair), F. Woodward, J. Harvey, J. S. Collins, H. Cars well, M. Instone, W. Handyside, W. Tait, T. L. Woods, D. Mackay, H. Feldwick, R. Brodrick, E. Tanner (hon. secretary), and A. N. Campbell (curator). In reply to a letter from the Society urging the appointment of a ranger to prevent poaching in the Aparima river and to preserve the salmon there, the Minister of Marine intimated that be was unable to make the appointment, there being no funds available for the purpose. — After a brief discussion, in the course of which it waa pointed out that after the expense which the colony bad incurred in endeavouring to bring about the acclimatisation of salmon, it would be a pity to endanger the success of the experiment on account of a comparatively small expenditure on what was really not a matter of local but of colonial concern, the following resolution, moved by Mr Carswell, and seconded by Mr Feldwick, was unanimously passed : — " That the Government be respectfully asked to re-consider their decision re the appointment of a ranger for the protection of salmon in the Aparima river, which, being closed against trout anglers, is now simply a tempting resort for poachers ; and further that the Society would suggest that a sum of, say, Ll5O per annum be granted for the purpose." At the instance of Mr Harvey, seconded by Mr Woodward, a deputation, consisting of the chairman and Messrs Instone, Cars* well, Feldwick, and the mover, was appointed to wait on the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral at the first opportunity and ask him to bring the resolution before the Government. The hon. secretary reported that two local fishmongers had asked him for licenses to sell Lake Wakatipu trout, and he had informed them that the matter would be brought before the Council. He had written to the Christchurch and Ot&go Societies for information as to the course they followed in this matter, and he now read the replies received. After considering these, and a draft form of conditions under which licenses should be issued, Mr Harvey moved — " That the secretary be authorised to issue permits or licenses for the sale of Lake Wakatipu trout, under the conditions read, on payment of a fee of 20s each per annum." The motion was seconded by Mr Instone, and, after a short discussion in which the necessity of taking precautions to prevent the sale of river trout was emphasised, carried unanimously. The Secretary reported that there waa a vacancy in the Council, and this was filled by the election of Mr A. Blacke. It was decide! to recommend the following gentlemen for appointment as additional rangers : — Messrs R. Gray, Waikiwi ; D. F. Clark, Morley ; S. Booth, Waimumu ; R. Grieve, New River ; and H. Howells, Waianiwa. The Secretary stated that he had, as instructed, advertised for sale the Scotch burn trout hatched out from ova obtained at the suggestion of a member. There was, however, no demand for them, and he had accepted an offer of L 5 for the trout. Several accounts having been passed for payment, the meeting closed. The deputation appointed in reference to the appointment of a ranger for the Aparima river immediately after waited on the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Mr Turnbull explained the result of the correspondence which had taken place with the Minister of Marine, and pointed out that the whole colony was directly interested in the success of the experiment which had been made in connection with the acclimatisation of salmon in the Aparima river. It was virtually a colonial enterprise, and as the Aparima was, as they had every reason to believe, the only river in the colony containing salmon, it would be unfortunate if the success of a work which had been carried on for so many years were jeopardised through lack of means to protect the fish at thia stage. — Mr Harvey said that it was in every sense, as pointed out by Me Turnbull, a matter of colonial interest. The ova had been placed in the Aparima {as being the most suitable river for the purpose in the colony, and if the experiment succeeded other streams would be supplied from it. — Mr Feldwick said that it was necessary that a professional ranger should be appointed, as honorary or amateur rangers might be subjected to annoyance if they did their duty strictly. — Mr Instone pointed out that apart from his other duties the ranger could render good service in the destruction of shags ; and Mr Carswell remarked that if the acclimntisation of salmon were secured it would mean the establishment of another and most valuable industry. The Hon. J. G. Ward said that the preservation of the salmon was a matter of considerable importance, and he thought the Government should do something in that direction. The matter was in the Hon. J. McKenzie's department as Minister of Marine, and he hoped to ccc that gentleman in the course of a week, when he would lay all the circumstances before him, and do what he could to obtain a grant for the purpose stated. — The deputation then thanked Mr Ward and retired.