ACCLIMATISATION

Southland Times, Issue 20200, 10 June 1927, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION

SOUTHLAND SOCIETY. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Aclimatisation Society was held last evening, Mr A. E. Tapper presiding over an attendance of 17 members. CORRESPONDENCE. The Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs wrote that he had received a letter from the Southland Society supporting the request of the Otago Acclimatisation Society in regard to a close season for opossums. He asked whether the Southland Society considered it practicable to have an open season in some districts and a close season in others. It was decided tb advise the Minister that the society thought a close season in contiguous districts was practicable. Mr A. Chartres, Mossburn, wrote stating that he had spoken to Mr Adam Hamilton in regard to the making of a track from the foot of the Lakes to Te Anau Downs. Mr Hamilton had suggested that the Minister of Public Works be approached and asked for a free grant towards the cost of making the track. He had expressed his willingness to push the matter if the society would communicate with the Minister. It was decided to ask Mr Hamilton to use his influence in the matter. GENERAL BUSINESS. In reply to the society’s request that the Tuatapere Domain be declared a sanctuary under the Animals Protection and Game Act, the Under-Secretary wrote to the effect that it was not considered desirable to declare domains to be sanctuaries under the Act as the Act made it illegal for any person to do anything likely to cause any imported or native game to leave the sanctuary or to take any dog or fire-arm on to the area declared to be a sanctuary. If, therefore, a domain were declared a sanctuary it would be that the playing of games or the holding of picnics, etc., might cause persons concerned thereon to commit an unintentional breach of the law. He suggested that section 15 of the Animals Protection and Game Act might get over the difficulty. The secretary reported that be had forwarded a copy of the Act to the Tuatapere Domain Board. Mr Traynor moved that before the opening of next season signposts be erected on all the sanctuaries. —Carried. Mr Whelam moved that it be a recommendation to the Hatchery Committee to order 150,000 rainbow ova for planting in the Lora. Dr. Crawford moved as an amendment that the ova be secured, the locality of liberation to be left to the committee. On being put to the vote the amendment was carried. Mr Hamilton suggested that the society purchase some Oregon pine trees for plant-' ing round the hatcheries. These trees, he said, did well in Southland and were in his opinion superior to the poplar trees. Members endorsed this view and it was decided to allow the suggestion to go before the Hatchery Committee for consideration. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. The following committees were appointed : Finance: Messrs Cuthill, Traynor, Whelham. Hatchery: Messrs Robertson, Stock, Jones, Traynor, Mackie and Tapper. Stock Committee (Angling) : Messrs Butler, Whelham, Keast and Wilson; (deer) : Messrs Tapper, McKenzie and Hamilton; (shooting) : Messrs Wirteon, Strang, Sloan and Dr. Crawford.