SHOOTING AND ANGLING

Southland Times, Issue 23825, 24 May 1939, Page 9

SHOOTING AND ANGLING

WORK OF SOCIETY IN SOUTHLAND YEAR ENDS WITH SURPLUS OF £46 “However fishing and shooting may fare from year to year we must remember that we have one of the finest districts in New Zealand, if not in the world, for these sports,” said the chairman (Mr S. M. Macalister) at the annual meeting of the Southland Acclimatization Society last night. There was a good attendance of members. There were comparatively slight decreases in the revenue from fishing and game licences, continued Mr Macalister, but, on the other hand, there was a decrease in expenditure, the year resulting in a surplus of £46. Last year there had been a big increase in the shooting revenue and, with the drop this year, the position was now normal. Whatever was the reason for the decrease he did not think they need be very much concerned.

“The difficulty mentioned at the last annual meeting of the non-interchange-ability of Otago and Southland shooting licences was met by the issue of a £1 licence for Southland, which also entitled the holder to shoot mallard duck and native game in the Otago district,” Mr Macalister said. The question of the boundaries between the Otago and Southland districts was still a thorny one. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) had been interviewed about the matter and a plan had been submitted to him of the proposed boundaries between the Southland and Lake and Otago districts, but so far nothing had been done.

Referring to the report of the Hatchery Committee, Mr Macalister said that the members would notice that the Wairaki river was trapped and that the ova taken was not as big as expected. He had discussed with Mr Ward Beer whether many fish went up past the trap during floods and he was of the opinion that such was not the case. As they would notice, they were trapping the Upukuroro this year. Because of the absence of food in tlris river and the moving gravel, at least on the lower parts, it was thought that the results from natural reproduction

in this stream could not equal the results from trapping and hatching. There was no doubt that the eel was the enemy of both the angler and the shooter. It might be that the eels had been increasing by reason of the stocking of the streams with trout and the food provided for them in the young trout Indeed, facts seemed to indicate that the placing of'trout in streams had led to an increase in eels and the migration of shags, tern and gulls inland. Mr Macalister said that during the year there had been a number of prosecutions and he referred particularly to a sheep-dip case where some hundreds of fish had been destroyed. It was believed that the farmers were now co-operating with the society in the prevention of the pollution from sheep dips. There had been a number of prosecutions for pigeon shooting—six altogether during the past six months. In addition, there had been prosecutions for flax-mill pollution and freezing works pollution. “The revenue account for the year reveals a drop in both the income and expenditure of your society,” stated the annual report. “Net fishing and game revenue have decreased by £73 and £93 respectively and interest by £lO5, but, as was explained last year, the 1938 interest was high because of the recovery of a bad debt. Opossum fees are also low, £59 against £143 in 1938. Against these decreases, amounting in total to £355, must be set fines and fees of £290, an increase of £175 on the 1938 season. “Expenditure, in the main, decreased throughout the year, the principal increases being in eeling, £6B, and in general fish and game preservation (as distinct from .ranging), £lB4. The net decrease in expenditure is £154. After proper provision has been made for depreciation, the surplus of revenue amounting to £46/12/5 has been carried to capital account. “On the assets side of the balancesheet an increase, will be noticed under the headings of cottage and cars. The cottage at Te Anau has been extended and made more suitable and a new car was purchased. The society also purchased the electric power plant. The excess of assets over liabilities amounts to the satisfactory sum of £8475 12/-. “The fishing licences issued num- I bered 1613 and the game licences, 1004,” added the report.

The annual report and balancesheet were adopted. ' It was decided to make a' donation to the Southland Gun-Dog Club. The following officers were elected: President, Mr S. M. Macalister (reelected) ; vice-presidents, Dr Ritchie Crawford and Mr J. Robertson (reelected); new councillors, Messrs W. McKenzie, T. N. Mitchell and Dr G. B. Orbell.