ACCLIMATISATION

Southland Times, Issue 18968, 15 June 1923, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION

MEETING OF SOCIETY. THE EYEING STATION. A meeting of the Council of the Southland Acclimatisation Society was held on Wednesday to consider a report from Ranger Evans on the securing of ova from the Te Anau district, there being present Messrs A. H. Stock (chairman), J. Collins, Eustace Russell, N. Battle, J. Robertson, E. R. Stephens, R. McKenzie, J. Butler, Crofts, E. Keast, T. Traynor and E. A. Tapper. The ranger reported having proceeded to Te Anau with the curator and having constructed an eyeing station at the Government Hatchery. Of the trout taken, 26 were males and 22 were females, averaging 61bs and unripe. There had been about 20 salmon taken in the traps, mostly females and ready for stripping, and Mr Ayson, who arrived at Te Anau on June 16, put down 25,000 ova on the following day from the fish they had saved for him. Owing to the high temperature of the water (spring), the eggs would be eyed in 21 days—2s days earlier than anticipated, and he would advise that they be kept at the | eyeing station as long as possible afterwards thus shortening the period of incubation in the rivers and minimising the risk of destruction to the beds in the river.

The curator also reported on similar lines. It was decided that Mr H. Beer, of Mossburn, whom the ranger reported as having rendered assistance, should be thanked and issued a complimentary Jicense for the next season. The chairman outlined a scheme for the stocking of rivers with the ova in the following percentages: Waiau and Orawia, 5; Aparima and Hamilton Burn, 15; Oreti, Five Rivers, Winton Creek, Dipton and Hamilton, 35; Makarewa, Otapiri, Hedgehope and Dunsdale, 35; Mat aura (upper) and Ctamita, 10. Mr Russell strongly urged that the establishment of the experimental plot to show the results of the eyeing work should be kept in view. It was necessary that they should have ocular demonstration that the planting out was a success. It was suggested that the Settlers’ Bridge would be a suitable place, and the chairman and Messrs Stephens, Robertson and Tapper were appointed a committee to go into the matter of selecting the most suitable spot. Mr Evans was then called into the meeting and gave details of the scheme. The question arose as to whether the Society should confine itself to the figure mentioned, 2,250,000, and it was decided that the ranger be instructed to procure as many eyed ova as possible, but not in the meantime, to exceed last year’s estimate of £450, 25 per cent, cost of car to be taken into accoi\'.t. The ranger waqj also authorised to engage the necessary help in conveying and planting out. It was indicated that the ranger and curator were of different opinions regarding the engagement of labour and a lengthy discussion took place in committee as to the managership' of the operations, and it was finally decided that the question should be considered at a special meeting to be called in seven days’ time. Mr Collins gave notice to move that in order that the curator and ranger might not clash, the work of hatching and stripping fish should be under the control of the curator, and that the balance of the work (carting and planting of the eyed ova) be left in the hands of the ranger. Mr Pattie indicated that he would give notice of amendment for the same meeting.