SOUTHLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 16688, 17 March 1911, Page 6

SOUTHLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

The monthly meeting of the Southland Acclimatisation Society was held last evening, air W. A. Stout presiding. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Prime Minister intimating that the suggestion for an amendment to the Animals Protection Act to permit of a reduction in the fee for licenses to take hares would receive consideration. The Minister of Internal Affairs wrote making enquiry as to the Society’s objections to declaring Mr W. Saunder’s land at Ringway a sanctuary for native birds. .—Explanation to be forwarded. A copy of the Gazette notice was received suspending the operation of section 10, Animals Protection Act, for the period ending 31st December. 1911, with respect to keas or mountain parrots, hawks of all species, black shags, whitethroated shags, and sea shags. A letter was received from Mr R. Baker (Limehills) complaining that seagulls were feeding on trout and suggesting that they should be shot similarly to shags.—The secretary reported that he had informed Mr Baker that gulls could now be shot inland, the former restriction having been removed. STOCK COMMITTEE’S REPORT. That the Otago Society had been communicated with in regard to the appointment of a competent man to inspect deer In the fiord country and had recommended Mr Harold Hodgkinson for the work. That the Society’s solicitor should be asked to report on the action of a farmer who for purposes of his milking machine operations had blocked the water in the Waikana Creek and had thus interfered with the supply to the Mataura hatchery. That in regard to the Government’s circular asking for the Society’s views as to what game should be open for shooting in the coming season a reply should be sent recommending all imported and native game except mallard ducks. —The report was adopted, subject to a subcommittee (instead of the Society’s solicitor) dealing with the matter of the iWaikana Creek trouble. FINANCES. The secretary presented an approximate balance-sheet for the year ending .March 31st last- showing a balance in hand of £245. The trout fishing licenses were reported to have amounted to £750 10s as against £755 7s 6d last year. The secretary anticipated that in the interval before October Ist next, when licenses would again become due. the necessary expenditure would bring about a debit balance of £GS by that date.