FISH AND GAME

Southland Times, Issue 21831, 7 October 1932, Page 3

FISH AND GAME

ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY. MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the council of the Southland Acclimatization Society was held last evening, there being present: Messrs James Robertson (chairman), J. Cuthill, J. D. Speirs, J. H. Thomas, J. S. Nelson, A. Hamilton, Eustace Russell, S. M. Macalister, N. Mac Kay, G. F. Strang, W. Excell, J. F. Darragh, F. Young, A. R. Dickson, R. Sloan, F. B. Henderson, R. McKenzie, W. G. Clark, R. Allison, C. Wilson and Dr. Ritchie Crawford. The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs wrote enclosing a warrant authorizing the society to catch up to 75 pairs of Californian quail for the purnose of liberating them in the Southland Acclimatization district.

"The secretary mentioned that the quail had already been secured. Correspondence was read regarding the taking of rifles into the Eglinton Valley. It was decided to take steps to have portion of the valley declared a sanctuary.

In acknowledging the society’s letter containing Mr Tapper’s report on the grey owl the secretary of the New Zealand Association of Acclimatization Societies wrote: “From all accounts although it does a certain amount of good it kills a very large number of native birds. If so I feel that we should do our best to' exterminate it. Are many killed in your district?’’ The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs advised that strong representations had been made that godwits should be removed from the list of native game under the Animals Protection and Game Act 1921-22 and placed on the absolutely protected list. The views of the society were sought on the matter. The letter was referred to the Game Committee.

The following letter was received from a Western District farmer: “The Aparima river runs through my property (which is on both sides of the river) for a distance of over a mile. This is a very much ‘fished’ area. Although I have never handled a rod I should like to know what my position !s regarding fishing, confined entirely *o the river on my own land. Are my family and guests entitled to fish on that part of the river enclosed withinthe farm boundary? I should be much obliged if you will let me know, ns I often have a friend or visitor from the north to spend a day or so here in the fishing season.” The secretary stated that he had written advising the farmer that he could fish within the boundary of his own property provided there was not a chain reserve.

.Mr A. E. Tapper, who upon his resignation from the council was appointed a life member of the society, wrote acknowledging with thanks the receint of a complimentary fishing license. In the course of his letter Mr Tapner wrote: “I trust a certain number of salmon fry will be liberated annually in the Eglinton, if the Upuk is declared a sanctuary. The natural spawning should suffice for it. Up the Eglinton, about the 43-mile peg, there is a beautiful little stream suitable for liberating fry. There were hundreds of small fish, un to three and four inches rising to midges. I took these to he salmon parr, but could not be certain as they were very shy. My opinion is that as long as the stock of salmon in the lake is kept low by excessive killing, the food supply available will be sufficient for their wants. Having no necessity for migrating, they will stay there and become practically a lana locked type—till conditions alter.” Size Limit of Fish. . The following letter dealing with the size limit of trout was received from the honorary secretary of the Gore Angling Club: “I duly received your letter of July 22 which was placed before. my committee. We readily recognize that the finances of your society must be considered at the present time, but we are rather disappointed at your decision in this matter, particularly in view of the fact that we understand that the great majority of the angling clubs in Southland were in favour of the increase in size from 10 to 11 inches. We note that you have taken into consideration the opinion of Armistead, the leading English pisciculturist, but we do not think that the conditions are quite the same in New Zealand and we certainly think that Professor Percival’s opinions should carry at least as much weight, particularly as the funds of the society have been utilized in employing him in research work. We are strongly of the opinion that the increase in the size would help largely in the conservation of trout in Southland rivers.” The chairman said that the size was fixed for the present season. It was decided to refer the letter to the Angling Committee. Ova and Fry. The manager, Mr C. J. Evans, reported that the total ova and fry available for distribution and liberation was 860,000, planted in the following rivers: —Mararoa, 60,000; Mataura Upper, 100,000; Oreti, 250,000; Aparima, 100,000; Waimatuku, 50,000; Otamita, 80,000; Dunsdale, 80,000; Lora, 80,000; Otapiri, 80,000. In addition, the Ohai Angling Club had received 60,000, maknig a total of 920,000. The fry liberated and to be liberated would amount to 850,000. Additional liberations since last month’s report were:—Five Rivers, 40,000; Waimatuku, 40,000; Waihopai, 20,000; Lake Gunn, 20,000; total 120,000.

“All the ova is now planted,” the report continued. “I found quite a large amount of natural spawning in the Oreti and Aparima, while the Makarewa and Otamita showed signs of being subject to very heavy flooding, and most of the natural spawning had been destroyed. These two rivers should have an extra supply of fry liberated in them. I have continued liberating salmon for the Marine Department. These have been liberated in the Eglinton from the Retford to Lake Gunn, the number being about 150,000. I do not know the exact numbers. I have further liberations to make in the Upuk. The rainbow fry are now ready for liberation.” The report was adopted.