THE SHOOTING SEASON.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 60, 13 March 1913, Page 7

THE SHOOTING SEASON.

DISCUSSED BY ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

NOTICE TO RESCIND

The decision of the Minister for Internal Affairs to grant an open season to those Acclimatization Societies that care to apply for one, places the Stratford Acclimatization Society in a somewhat difficult position. Some weeks ago the majority of the members were in favour of a close season, but they were not then aware that possibly Hawera and New Plymouth might obtain open seasons. Consequent upon the new turn of affairs, local sportsmen have petitioned the Stratford Acclimatization Society to request the Minister to declare the coming season an open one for imported game, the petition being read at the meeting of the society last evening.

REASONS FOR OPEN SEASON. “Our reasons for wishing the season an open one,” reads the petition, “are as follows: (1) From a revenue point of view our society would lose a considerable amount from loss of license fees, with a close season. (2) With a close season in the Stratford district and an open one for neighbouring districts the game in our district would be sure to suffer: (a) for want of rangers and (b) for want of definite knowledge of the district boundaries. (3) Sportsmen who have hitherto taken out licenses with the Stratford Society would, with a close season in this district and an open season in the neighbouring districts, perforce take out licenses in the open districts. (4) Quail are very plentiful in the Stratford district this year, while pheasants are reported to be fairly plentiful. In conclusion, gentlemen, your petitioners are of opinion that the best interests of the Stratford Acclimatization Society will be best served by an open season, and trust that this petition will meet with favourable consideration.” Then followed the signatures of nearly forty sportsmen, whose names are always to be found among those who take out shooting licenses locally. FURTHER CONSIDERATION. The president (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) stated that the meeting had been called that evening to give further consideration to the matte! of an open season, that consideration being necessary, he thought, in view of the fact that neighbouring societies might be having an open season. There was also the question whether more pheasants should be purchased and, in this connection, he would remind members that the finances of the society were not too flourishing: they had a bank balance of £4O.

11l reply to Mr J. R. L. Stanford, Mr Kirkwood said that he thought there was some £SO to the credit o) the society in the Post Office Savings Bank. Mr Kirkwood continued that ho thought the society should reconsider its previous decision not to ask for an open season. Mr H. Campbell asked how long a season it was proposed to grant, but the question was not answered decisively, the general opinion beiiig that it would be of the same length as in former years. Mr Stanford remarked that in conversation with the president of the New Plymouth Acclimatization Society he had been told far as the game licenses were concerned, it wa; all revenue to them. It was useless to try and preserve pheasants, and the president was of the opinion that as the birds would be soon shot out. it was as well “to make hay while the eun shines.”

The President: The same thing applies here. Mr G. D. Hunter: But in a lesser degree. Mr Stanford: I think there is shooting for a good many years. Mr Hunter: Quail, but not pheasants. Mr Morrison pointed out that it would he little use applying for one month or two months open season. He mentioned that he had recently put up a hen pheasant with young ones that in the ordinary course would be about as big as quail when the time for the shooting season came on. If the season was open in July, the farmers would resent sportsmen disturbing their ewes. The position, in fact, was full of difficulty.

The President: I consider it would not be in the best interests of our society to have a close season, when other societies are having an open one. Mr Stanford: Undoubtedly that is the strongest argument in favour of it. 1 The president further stated that if it had not been for the fact that other societies bordering on Stratford were going to ask for an open season, be would not have asked the socicty to reconsider its decision. However, he would now give notice to move at the next meeting that the previous motion be rescinded.

Mr Morison pointed out the necessity for immediate action, on account especially of ammunition supplies, but it was pointed out that notice of motion would have to be given, much as members might like to settle the question that evening. Mr Morrison remarked that he thought none of them had an idc:>, when the previous motion was carried, that the Minister would have been so weak as to have granted the open season. There was no doubt that somebody had been pulling springs. The President: I may say as far as the last conference was concerned a resolution was passed by a large* majority'- in favour of having no dor.* reason, but instead an oprn reason cf one month or two months, thorn months to he at the option of tin* s >- cieticfl. Mr Morrison: They were stultifying themselves. The idea of the do 3 season emanated from them, and yet one executive turns round on a decision

previously arrived at by a former executive. Mr Budge stated that he thought Mr Morrison was right as to the body from whom the close season emanated in the first instance. Of course the Government did not care much whether the season was open or close. They liked to foster the sport, if it was the desire of the people. It was the will of the societies that really decided what course should be taken, and the Government had no interest in the natter than to accede to the request >f the societies. The President: That does not follow in all cases. Take the oppossums, or instance. Mr Budge: But there were strong representations on the other side, dheasants do little damage, but the case is not the same with oppossums. The discussion then ended, and it was decided to hold a meeting on Thursday next, when the president’s motion will be thoroughly discussed, information having been obtained in die meanwhile from Hawera and New Plymouth as to their intentions in this natter. Pheasants will not be bought obis year.