NELSON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8246, 13 May 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

NELSON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of the members of thia Society was held at the Masonic Boiel laßt evening when Dr Gibbs was voted to the ohair, thare being a fair attendance One new member was elected. The Hon. Secretary, Mr R.W. W. Kiogdon read the annual Keport, in which the membera were congratulated npon the sncoees which bad attended the operations of the Booiety daring the year. It was also mentioned that the Society was in a healthy condition financially. From reports reoeived it was stated that the red deer are increasing in numbers, and spreading in the outlying dsatricts, a larger number of young stags tban usual had been shot this year, and it wcs pointed out that the Wellington Society was urging that no sag with lees tban eigbt points on hia antlers, and no larger number than three should be sbot by any one licensee. It was suggested that a similar rule might be adopted. It had bean reported tbat certain licensees had killed such a quantity of deer as to almost amount to a general slaughter, a fact to be regretted, as there was a danger that the jaerease wo did be stopped for Borne yeai s. A letter had been Hf-nt to the Agent' General in London, enquiring as to tbe possibility of purchasing more red deer, but it was feared that the provisions of the Ssook Act would prevent any further importation. It was tuggested tbat a pair of deer should be liberated near Gollingwood. Mention was made of a communication from the Mar i borough Society proposing steps to prevent poaching and the Committee reoommended that hereafter tbe season for sbootiog 3tage should not extend beyond the 31st March. It was Baid that the fallow deer did not appear to be spreading much, and nothing had been beard reoently of tha opossums while applications had been made that more might be purchased and liberated. Regret was expressed that quail and pheasants were nearly extinct in many localities, a fact largely due, it was affirmed, to many settlers having trapped large numbers, and it was pointed out that all possible efforts ehould be made to preserve these birds. Some, it was said, attributed the disappearance of the imported birds to tbe presence of the wea?el, but other oause9 had also been at work. In 1894 the Society resolved that tbe export of game Bhonld be stepped, and thus had largely protected the birds and an opinion was expressed that a like provision Bhould be made stopping the exportation of fbh and deer. Efforts had bean made to obtain from India the cbiokor partridge, but without avail' As to Native game it was said that pigeons and Eakas were nor more numerous, and though duoks were repotted numerous in the Lake, Buller, and Wairau districts, there ware, however, practically none in this district. Relative to fish culture, great credit was given to tbe curator, Mr Nalder, who had turned out so many young fish, and also to the Messrs Naldtr, Polkok, Sherwood, Hounsell, and others for their sirvioes in neiting fish for stripping purposfs. Some 400 fish had, upon the advice of Mr Nalder, been turned out into the lake in the Queen's Gardeni, and expense would thus be saved. Trout fry had been liberated in the upptr waters of the Wairoa, in the Montera rivar, and in a stream near Collingwood, while in various streams a number of naturally raised fry had been eeen. It was etated that the Buller was now one of the babt stooked of the looil rivers. Bslatlve to the prawns obtained by Captain Wheeler and liberated ia the Bay, it was said that they were occasionally seen, but it could hardly be expected that they would be found in numbers yet, although the prawn was a most prolific flab. When a specimen could be obtained for Dr Heotor it was intended to ask for protection. In respeot to rangeri, it was baid that although no , conviction! had b«en secured, tbe appointment of Mr J. Irjgram was calculated to have beneficial results. The report wai adopted. Mr Walker remarked thtt the fallow deer were increasing, and were now to be met with inthe Wangamoa and Maungatapu districts. The report of the ranger wad toen read, which showed that he kad visited the various looalitiei. Mr Ingram said that many settlers had expressed a desire to protect the birds and to give him assistance in his duties. Tbe Chairman spoke in oompliment&ry tsrms of tha work done by Mr Ingram, and on tbe motion of Mr Walker, seconded by Mr Tatton, it was resolved to record the appreciatioß of the dooiety of tbe work done by the ranger. Mr Ingram said he wai very grateful for theu* appreciation of hia services. Mr ft. S. Bjoth then read the balance sheet, which showed tbat tbe year was commenced with a oredit balance of £43 9s, in addition to £100 on fixed deposit. Their receipts, including trout liceQße fees for two years, amounted to £191 10«. Their expenditure during the year left them with £35 163 in hand in add tion to the £100 on fixed deposit. After some remarks thereon the balance sheet was adopted. The election of officers was next proceeded with, when Mr E. W. W. Kingdon was unanimously re-elected hon. Secretary and Mr R. S. Booth was similarly e'eoted bon. Treasurer, both gentlamen being accorded votes of thanks for their services. The following gentWmen were elected as tbe Committee: — Dr Gibbs. and Meßsra Walker, Bannehr, Tattoti, Giblin and Pollock. On the motion of Mr Walker the question of procuricg mure animals and birds was left to the Committee, Mr Dondas alluded to the question of acclimatisation of the sa'mon, and nrged that they Bhoald support the attempt being made by the Otago and Southland Societies to stock a southern river, bo that there might be concentrated efforts to establish the sa!m n in New Zealand. In the course of the discussion it was stipulated that suoh support should be on oondition that the Southern Society should (hereafter assist the Nelson Sooiety, and the proposal was on that understanding adopted. Mr Walker gave notioe to move at A speoiftl meeting that lioensees for pheasant and quail ehootiDg should have ten shilling returned them out of the fea of £1, and it was agreed to hold a epecial meeting at an early i date to ooneider thia proposal.