ACCLIMATIZATION

Southland Times, Issue 25311, 14 June 1935, Page 4

ACCLIMATIZATION

SOUTHLAND SOCIETY MEETING OF COUNCIL At the monthly meeting of the council of the Southland Acclimatization Society last evening the president (Mr James Robertson) presided; over Messrs Eustace Russell, A. Hamilton, J. H. Thomas, O. J. Howells, John Gilkison, S. M. Macalister, A. R. Dickson W. Grieve, T. S. Mackie, F. J. Malley, J. D. Speirs, P. C. Donnelly, R. McKenzie, G. F. Strang, R. Allison and Dr A. F. Ritchie Crawford. Regarding the opossum season, the chairman said he telephoned the Otago Society with reference to its wish for July and August, as against June and July, the months favoured by tne Southland Society. The Otago Society gave reasons for the choosing of the two months stated, and the chairman accordingly wired the Minister falling in with the Otago Society’s wishes. ’ With reference to the request that Mr Hobbs should visit Te Anau in June or July, Professor E. Percival, honorary director of the New Zealand FreshWater Research Committee, advised that he was agreeable provided that it did not have to bear any of the expense. Mr Hobbs considered the last week in June would be the most suitable time, or alternatively the first week in August. The letter was referred to the Research Committee. Pukeko Pest. A Riversdale farmer wrote saying that a neighbouring farmer stated that the society’s ranger took his gun off him while he was shooting pukeko, which were destroying the writer s stacks. “Can I claim compensation for the damage done and am I liable for birds killed by poison around the stacks?” the writer asked. The president and Mr Russell were deputed to reply. Arising out of a letter from a Riversdale resident who wrote complaining of damage to his oat stacks by swamp turkeys, a discussion took place over the destruction carried out by these birds. ~ Members agreed that a considerable amount of damage was done by pukekos, and it was suggested that a short open season should be declared. It was decided to make application to the Minister to have a short open season declared next year, stating that much damage was being done by pukekos and if an open season were not declared there would be wholesale poisoning of the birds. It was also resolved to include a list of. the districts where pukekos were being found most troublesome. German Owls. Appreciation of the society’s offer of co-operation in exterminating German owls and supplying information as to the methods to be employed was contained in a letter from the Bird Protection Society. It was suggested that the question of expense should be the subject of further discussion. The chairman said it had been intended to restrict the expenditure to £25. It was mentioned by .Mr Russell that the German owls had first been introduced at the request of the Otago fruit-growers. The desire of the fruitgrowers had been to check the destruction of fruit by native birds. The chairman said it might be desirable to obtain data from the Canterbury Society, which had been ■ successful in combating German owls. These birds were to be found in all parts of Southland. It was resolved, to discuss the question further with the secretary of the Bird Protection Society and Mr J. B. Thomson, as the former would shortly be visiting Southland. Fresh-water Fish Research. The secretary of the New Zealand Acclimatization Societies’ Association forwarded a copy of a letter from Mr Charles E. Jackson, Commissioner of Fisheries at Washington, U.S.A.. The letter stated that it was difficult to give a definite answer to the question asked as to the number of scientists engaged in research on problems connected with fresh-water fish. “There are many investigators, for instance, . connected with universities and other institutions who, in the aggregate, devote considerable time to the study of problems in this field, but whose major interests were in teaching or other activities,’ the letter went on. “There are also a number of investigators whose work is primarily concerned with the commercial fresh-water fisheries. Excluding these investigators, there are probably about 20 scientists in the United States who are employed primarily in investigating problems connected more or less directly with the conservation of our fresh-water game fishes. About half of these investigators are in the employ of the Bureau of Fisheries. In addition, many scientists are employed temporarily on such problems as stream survey’s, stream improvement, and work of a similar nature. The fact that such a large 'number of workers are engaged in fresh-water research indicates the importance attached to this field in the United States. It is generally accepted that these investigations have resulted in a marked increase in the efficiency of State and Federal hatcheries, which are now turning out better and larger fish than ever before, at considerably less expense. It is now recognized that in order to maintain a supply of game fish in heavily fished waters it is necessary to make a biological survey of such waters which will provide the iiiformation necessary for the development of a scientific stocking programme. Such information is also required for the conditioning and rehabilitation of streams, which are frequently necessary where streams have been ■ adversely affected by deforestation and agricultural development.” Committees Appointed. The following committees were appointed:— Hatchery.—Messrs James Robertson, John Gilkison, S. M. Macalister, J. D. Speirs, N. R. Mac Kay and P. C. Donnelly. Native Birds.—Messrs John Gilkison, R. Sloan, A. E. Tapper and E. Russell. Angling and Research.—Messrs J. H. Thomas, T. S. Mackie, F. Young, W. Grieve, J. D. Speirs, R. Allison, J. Howell. W. C. Clark, A. R. Dickson, W. Excell and F. J. Medley. Shooting.—Dr A. F. R. Crawford, Messrs Thomas, Sloan, G. F. Strang, J. M. Watson, W. G. Clark and F. J. Medley. Deer.—Messrs A. H. Hamilton, R. McKenzie, A. R. Dickson, N. R. MacKay, and W. Grieve. Finance.—Messrs J. E. Cutliill and G. F. Strang. Horticulture. —Mr J. H. Thomas. Recommendations to Council. Consideration was given to recommendations from the annual meeting. It was decided to refer to the Angling Committee a recommendation that a limit length of 12 inches be imposed for fish taken. A recommendation that the council take steps to declare the oiling of lagoons illegal was referred to the Shooting Committee. Mr Russell said that the only chance of success was to get a remit supported by other societies. A further recommendation that the limit bag be reduced from 25 to 20 was referred to the Angling Committee. On the motion of Mr Dickson it was decided to have a report obtained on

the salmon position during the fishing and hatching seasons. A minute of appreciation of the work of the retiring members of the council was recorded on the motion of Mr Russell.