ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 123, 17 July 1911, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

AiN iMrOil'iA'sT CO-NEEIviANCE

A conference of delegates from the iriiuv'era, xaranaKi, unu DU auortt Aeeiiiuuwsutivju DocioUeS was lielu in tue Borough Council Chamber on Tnursuay evening last. Present: laranaia: Messrs Wiison (president), oonnston, i'irtii (secretary), anu rfeaie (curator); ixawera ; Messrs Goodsou (presment), isasnam, Poyntcv and ucli (curator); Stratford: Messrs W. P. Kirkwood (president), j. K. ii.: Branford, \V. a. Morrison and C. JT bole (secretary). The meeting, winch ’ was arranged by mo (Strati old- Society,; was ior rne purpose or discussing tlie best meuiioas of increasing die lisli supply cnroughout Taranaki and tlie breeuing or game • birds . Mr Kirkwood was unanimously elected ■ chairman. He extended a hearty welcome to tlie visitors, and expressed; (the hope that good would .result from the discussions. He went . largely into tnc question of fish culture. He also explained why in pre- . vious seasons the Stratford Society had refused to endorse outside licenses. The explanation met with the unanimous approval of the delegates. Mr Wilson said his Society keenly appreciated the action of the Stratford Society in calling a conference, and he trusted that tney would work togetner for their mutual benefit. He quoted at length from tlie report of the United States Fisheries Commission on the question of hsh culture, pointing out that his Society was adopting the policy outlined in that report. iiir Goodson said that alter careful study’ he was of the opinion that liainlidw trout were a failure in Taranaki waters, with about two exceptions; 'and ms Society had determined to go dr largely for hi own trout.' . >’ Mr Belli gave an interesting address oil the*'habit's of rainbow and brown Mr 1 Jolirisfoh said that on the information at' his disposal'- he was satisfied that : rainbow and brown trout did hot do well together. Mr Morrison said a number of rainbow trout had been liberated in tiio Manganui lliver, but had not been a success. _ Mr Basham said the streams all over Taranaki were not as good as they used to be, but by releasing the right sort of fish the whole or the streams could bo well supplied. Tlie following recommendations were carried: —(1) That a central cooperative fish-breeding pond bo established ; (2 ) that a co-operative game-breeding farm be considered by the three societies; (3) that the Government bo asked to alter the f isheries Conservation Act so that all fines be paid to the society, in the same manner as under the Animals Protection Act; (4) that a number of fish he labelled and. liberated, so as to endeavour to trace their habits and growth from time of liberation; (5) that the erection <of fish ladders shall bo made mandatory on all new weirs; (G) that the Animals Protection Act lie altered to make all game, both native and imported, come under licenses in the open season. After the meeting the delegates were entertained .at supper at Mrs Brown’s rooms. The visitors pressed the hope that the conference would become an annual affair, and the opinion was generally expressed that much good would result from the deliberationsof the conference.