FISH AND GAME

Southland Times, Issue 20537, 13 July 1928, Page 8

FISH AND GAME

ACCLIMATIZATION WORK MEETING OF SOUTHLAND SOCIETY REMITS FOR CONFERENCE The monthly meeting of the Council of the Southland Acclimatization Society was held in Featherstone and Adamson’s offices last evening. Mr John Gilkison presiding over a good attendance. A circular letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs advising that a remit had been passed at the last annual Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union urging that section 38 of the Animals Protection and Game Act 1921-22 should be amended. to deal more stringently with the question of trespass.—lt was decided to forward a copy of the letter to the local Magistrate and also to the Farmers’ Union. A letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs in reply to the Society’s letter asking permission to transport opossums from various parts of Southland to the Fiordland National Park. The writer stated that the matter at issue had been carefully gone into by the Government, and it had been decided not to authorize the introduction of opossums or their liberation in any further areas. —Dr. Crawford moved that a copy of Dr. L. Cockayne’s article dealing with the harmless habits of these animals be forwarded to the Minister of Internals Affairs. The motion was carried. Messrs Russell, Son and Meredith wrote in reply to a request from the society for their opinion as to whether the council of the society had power under its rules to pay the actual travelling expenses of members attending council meetings, that they were of the opinion that the council had no such power. Mr J. Robertson moved that 10/- per meeting be allowed to country members residing more than 25 miles from Invercargill and that the matter be confirmed at the next annual meeting. The motion was carried. The secretary of the Ohai Anglers’ Club (Mr John Dodds) wrote as follows: 1 should like to state on behalf of the members of the club that they desire to convey to the officers and councillors of the society, a vote of appreciation for the efficient and considerate manner in which each communication and request has been attended to, and as far as the club is concerned, they will keep this in mind and have full confidence in the present personnel of the council and will always adhere to the principle of working in cooperation with the society in carrying out any duty essential.”—Received, members expressing their appreciation of the kind remarks of the club.

A communication was received from the Waimate Acclimatization Society asking the price of mallard duck eggs and also whether the bird was a good sporting bird, how they decoyed and any other information which the society could supply.—The secretary reported that he had written to the society, but had not advised the purchase of these birds.

Mr. M. J. Griffen, Riverton, wrote petitioning for an extension of the opossum trapping season to July 15, and drawing attention to the unfavourable conditions which had prevailed this season on account of the wet weather which had caused a decrease in the number of opossums caught. —The secretary stated that he had advised the writer that the society had no power in the matter. REMITS. The following remits were agreed to, for presentation at the forthcoming conference of Acclimatization Societies of New Zealand. That, overseas visitors be required to take out fishing licences in every acclimatization district in which they operate; any person convicted under the Fisheries Act Part 2, or the Animals Protection and Game Act may be disqualified by any acclimatization Society from holding a licence under either Act for a period of two years, any licence held or isstied during that period to be invalid; that all fishing nets other than whitebait or landing nets be compulsorily registered; that a three months’ season for whitebait be asked for, or a close season every third year; that the present proviso regarding shooting beginning half an hour before sunrise and ceasing half an hour after sunset be rescinded, and that instead all shooting by means of artificial lights be prohibited; that there be a general close season for opossums every third year. GENERAL. Mr A. H. Stock was re-appointed representative of the society on the Southland League. It was decided to purchase 100,000 rainbow eyed ova from Rotorua. On the motion of Mr Strang authority was given to the shooting committee to approach the Lake Society with a view to obtaining a number of quail for the Southland district. On the motion of Dr. Crawford it was decided that the question of abolishing the estuary as a sanctuary be referred to the shooting committee for report. Mr Stock brought up the question of preserving certain species of New Zealand birds, and on the motion of Mr Tapper it was decided to write to the society for the Preservation of Native Birds suggesting that the kiwi and kokapo be liberated on Stewart Island with a view to their preservation. RANGER’S REPORT. The society’s ranger (Mr C. J. Evans) submitted his report which read as follows: —The weather for the past week has caused us to have the traps continually down, consequently we have lost the bulk of fish running. Trout captured are as follows:—Eglington 125, Henry Creek 710, Upukororo 95, Mararoa 300, Wairaki 500. Trout ova laid down since last report were Wairaki 160,000; hatchery 230,000; rainbow hatchery 1500, salmon nil. The traps have stood the floods well and everything is in order. It is expected to have them all up at an early date. We have not done any stripping of the Eglington or Henry Creek, but expect to do so shortly. The salmon are running very short in the Upukororo.