ACCLIMATISATION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7016, 7 February 1949, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION

COUNCIL MEETING OF AUCKLAND SOCIETY

REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING OF SPORTSMEN IN TE AWAMUTU

In keeping with the established policy of rotating meetings to cover the country areas, Te Awamutu was selected as the venue of the council meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, held* last Saturday night in the Oddfellows Hall. As well as the delegates from sub-societies throughout the area, there was also in attendance a representative gathering of interested license-holders. From the chair, and in reply to the welcoming address by Mr E. Holmes, president of the Te Awamutu Club, Mr F. E. McKenzie, president of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large gathering of delegates and lic-ense-holders. It would appear, he continued, that the policy of fostering the interest and growth of sub-soci-eties was bearing fruit. In his years of office the fulfilment of this policy had been his main objective; yet it remained largely with the individual license holder, just how much progress could be made. In this connection he instanced and acknowledged the activities of the Huntly Sub-Soci-ety in relation to pen-breeding and pheasant liberations, which have not only been of very material assistance to the Council’s quota, but also been of direct benefit to that Sub-Society with regards to their own allocation. The success of the whole policy, he concluded, depended entirely upon the activities of each individual sulj- society. Matters Under Discussion

Business dealt with from the minutes of the previous meeting was as follows:

Selling of Shooting Rights: From time to time reports had been received of the practice among certain shooters of selling their acquired shooting rights to the highest bidders, and while this practice was deplored by those present it was generally agreed that no good purpose would be served by pressing for restrictions to be placed on the personal rights of the land-owners. While it was decided by the meeting that no action should be taken to prohibit the sale of shootingrights, it was pointed out to the individual sub-societies that where the malpractice of the trading of these rights existed then action taken during the season of liberations would go far towards remedying the fault. Angling Diary: In reply to a suggestion put to the meeting that the Angling Diary issued by the Society should be incorporated with a similarrecord as issued in the Rotorua District by the Department of Internal Affairs, in order to simplify recording, the secretary, Mr Stedman felt that the purpose for which the society’s Diary had been issued would not be fully served, and according after discussion no action was taken. Mr Stedman further explained the delays that had occurred in the issuing of this diary and while it would not be possible to get complete recordings this season, it was hoped that a good start would be made next year. That all anglers would give due attention to the recording of their “bags” was the hope expressed by the Council, for only in that way could it be shown just what progress was being made with liberations. Records of Game Shot: It was approved by the Council at the suggestion of the chief ranger, Mr Dobson, that two butts be attached to next season’s shooting licenses for the purpose of recording game shot over the previous and current season. For subsequent seasons one butt only would be attached for this purpose. The necessity for recording and compiling this information was again stressed and it was felt that the ‘buttsystem’ would be the cheapest and most effective if the sub-societies would accept certain responsibility To see that, as many butts as possible were returned. Only in this way would it be possible to get an assessment of the game content of the various districts.

Mowing Machines: Reports were presented of the successful operation in the Mangere district of an American device fitted to a mowing machine for the purpose of flushing hen pheasants ahead of the blade. Known as a “flush bar” and consisting in the main of a length of piping to which a number of flail chains are attached, the device is no encumbrance to the machine and costs in the vicinity of £5. It was decided to forward details of the device to the Journal of Agriculture and the New Zealand Outdoor, in order to solicite the co-operation of the farming community in reducing the annual heavy losses of breeding birds and nests in the hay fields. Arising from the Agenda

The secretary reported on a visit made by Mr Allan, officer of the Marine Department, when in 10 days, accompanied by the chief ranger, 2000 miles of the Society’s area had been covered. For the purpose of considering the eel menace in relation to fish and the grey duck, Mr Burnett, another officer of the Department, contemplated a visit of the area in the near future. A report on this visit would come, before the council when available.

Report on Pheasant Stocks: In his report to the council on the coming season’s liberation, the chief ranger, Mr Dobson, stated that a very good breeding season had been experienced with the result that 6035 birds were ready for liberation and the indications were that 6500 would be the final figure for the year. This represented an increase of 45 birds on all individual allocations issued last year. Mr Dobson traced the method of computing subsidy and instanced the case of three particular sub-societies whose allocations had been substantially increased through their own efforts and success with breeding. In regards to the price of birds, he expressed the belief that similar efforts made by the sub-societies in fostering the pen breeders would ultimately reduce the price of birds. Totalled up this would be of great advantage to the various clubs who also would receive the benefit from their own efforts at the time liberation quotas were computed. The president, in thanking Mr Dobson for his report, said the Society was to be congratulated on the sue* cess of its pen breeding scheme. Furthermore, reports so far received from all sub-societies indicated that

the grey duck had had an excellent breeding season. “Pen Breeders” to be Defined: It was decided to submit to an early meeting of the Game Committee recommendations to the effect that a pen breeder should be anyone who has up to two pens—above that number he should be declared a commercial breeder. The necessity of finalising this matter, as affecting next year’s quotas to certain areas, was stressed. With regards to breeding conditions and the conditions of purchase, in view of several complaints voiced, it was finally decided after considerable discussion that where the chief ranger rejects birds in quantity he may call on the president or secretary of the local sub-society to confer with him, and that on information being forwarded to the Council the breedinglicense could be withdrawn, after recommendations had been presented to the Minister.

New Breeders: While the suggestion that each pen breeder should supply one sitting of early eggs for the encouragement of new breeders was not approved, it was however decided that clubs should encourage the holding of one pen from current liberations until early eggs could be procured to meet requirements. The birds could then be released allowing sufficient time in which to breed naturally that season. gign-posting Arapuni Lake: It was decided that Arapuni Lake should be sign-posted on both banks for the purpose of defining trolling areas and fly fishing areas. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair and also to the Te Awamutu Club for its hospitality.