NELSON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LIi, Issue 12804, 27 May 1910, Page 2

NELSON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tlio Nelson Acclimatisation Society was hold at Morcc.v's rooms last evening. IMi - O. W. lianby was voted to the chair, and there was a largo attendance of members. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, which- had been printed and circulated among members, was taken as read. Inter alia, i 6 was stated that the Society was now fully incorporated under the Animals' Protection Act. Deer. — For the deer-stalking season the number of licenses issued was 133, compared with 170 in the preceding season. Fallow deer ( 3 bucks and 3 does) ordered from Qnin and Rogers, at a cost of from £2 to £3 a head, have arrived, and it is proposed to liborate them in. the Tableland district if possible, aflc'r being kept for a short time in the depr park. The Otago Society lias promised to endeavour to procure for Nelson red deer stags from the "Wanaka district ; but the Wellington and Auckland Societies roplicd to the Council's inquiries that Jhpy were unable to supply red deer.' A few local deor have also been purchased and kept in the park for a time, to be liberated in different parts of the .district. The Council, falling into lino with Otago and other places where it has been suggested that it would be wise to have stud stags to which does might be put and liberated, communicated, with the High Commissioner, especially asking for red deer stags of the bay tine strain. Three such stags (yearlings) are now .under order, and they should arrivci in Nclr.on about October or November, thctotal cost landed here being about £53. It is expected that they will be brought direct to Nelson by steamer. After seeking a suitable area for a deer park at the Botanical Reserve, on Mr H. Moore's property, and Cummina's Creek, near the Reservoir, an ideal area was found at Todd's Bush, Mr H. "Wastney very generously granting the land on lease to tbo Society at a peppercorn rental for 10 years, with option of renewal for another 10 years. At an expenditure of about £90, the Council had the land (some, three and a half acres) fenced in strongly, and it is intended to divide it into three compartments, each deer-proof, for stud purposes. Mr Wastney, who lives near the park, has also undertaken to give the deer his personal attention. By the new regulations tags are compulsory on all heads sent to the taxidermist, but the Department of the Interior did not issue the tags in this district in time for distribution with licenses. Several good heads have boon obtained during the season just ended, especially in the Red Hills district. Early last year the Council decided to invite persons willing to act as guides to sportsmen and find tents, otc.,.i£~r.ePik-ci, to communicate with.tlie-Becrctary. Some jX£}4e«ts4ltta : Tified to act in the direction indicated registered themselves, and their services were availed of by several tourists. In the month, of August a meeting of deer stalkers to confer with the Council on tlio subject of culling the deer herds was hold at the request of some members of the Society. A committee board was formed, and it was ascertained, from the Department that there would be no objection to authorised persons shooting does. But subsequently there was strong objection by the Committee and others against shooting does. There was .also, some idea of engaging trustworthy persons to cull out malformed heads. But there was much divergence of opinion among deer-stalk-ers and others, and the experience in Ofca<*o and Cantovbuvy with those engaged to cull was not satisfactory by any moans. Before any decided action coulud be taken the saason was too advanced to make culling practicable, as the does about to fawn would have been disturbed. On full consideration of the whole question the Council came to the conclusion that it would meet the views of the majority of deer stalkers iE instead of attempting cuHing a systematic effort was made to improve the head by the introduction of new blood, the bay tine strain for red deer, and the maintenance of a small stud to servo does season by seasons That plan has been put in practice, and the Society now awaits the arrival of the stud bay-tine yearlings from England next October or November. Trout.— The Society has had a very successful hatching season, about 300,000 trout eyed ova haying been obtained from the Otago Society mostly, and also a smaller proportion from the Government hatchery. Mr Sherwood, tlio Society's curator, obtained good results, with a very sma|l proportion of losses, and the trout were "liberated in the following districts, the approximate figures being attached:—Maitai, 80,000 (less 1000, approximately, handed to Dr Andrew, who kindly promised to look after them on his property at Stoke and release them as yearlings) ; Uppc,r Motueka, 40,000; Wangamoa, 50,000; Happy Valley, 20,000; Aniseed, 40,---000; tributaries of the Wairoa, 40,---000; Riwaka, 30,000. The Society's hatchery has been enlarged at a cost of £29, enabling the curator to deal with half a million fry if required. This season another 300,000 have been ordered from Otago and the Government, again in the greater proportion from Otago. The season has been a good one, and some good baskets havei been taken, especially in the Wairoa, Motueka, Aniseed Valley, and Wangamoa streams. It has been usual to declare the season closed on 31st March. But last year it was found that some tourists with the. right to fish till the end of April elsewhere have come to Nelson for their April fishing, only to find the streams closed. It was deemed advisable, therefore, to bring the Society in'liuci with the rest of the Dominion in the matter of the opening and closing dates. Quail. — Quail are reported to be extremely numerous this season, but the open season was limited by the GovQrnrnenfc to only one month. As members know., By the provisions of the Animals' "Protection Act this year is a close one for imported game. The (Council, co-operating with other Societies, and aided by'many local sportsmen, strongly'reprcsented to thciMinistry that the abundance of quail made it undesirable to have a close season as the Act required. After much effort, in which the Council took a very activci part, the Minister of the Interior was induced to make a compromise, and the latter has taken the form of a restricted open season of a month. The Council -also endeavoured to have the licensa fee reduced in proportion to the reduction of the open season, but as the amount payabJe is -defined l?y regulations unclo-r statute, tho Minister did not see hia way to make any .abatement. It may be mentioned that the fanners throughout tho district have supported the Council in their endeavour to have an open season for quail this year owing; to the abundance of the latter. During thq past year six brace of Australian qirail,brought- here by Mr Greig, a bird deajer well known locally, \yotp purchased' by the Council and released, and there is reason to believe, that they are doing well. Miscellaneous. — During the year tho Council was enabled to secure two convictions of poachers for deer shooting without a license, aiuj fp.r spearing trout. The- local police have givcji what help they could in jthe matter of detecting poachers, and'the honorary rangers have been alert, especially Messrs Kinzett and Hopgood. Members will have observed, as they, were duly notified by advertise, meiit and other means', that membership as of a corporate body entails personal signed application, and that the mere holding of a license no longer entitles them automatically to member,, ship privilogtss. This was a vital question with regard" to registration 1 , as also was tho provision of machinery ior the investment and disposal of the Society's assets in the event of dissoution. These two. matters formed the subject of long correspondence, covering many mouths and two special y ' ■" . - . --

meolings to alter rules in accordance with the Department's requirements. During tlu- yt-ar iho Council have been in oiiico 14 monthly meetings have been held, tho attendar.ee -of members heinn as follows: — Mr ITanby 1-1, -Air Poilock 12, .Air Wastney 3, Mr Doug.au 11, Mr Walker 11, "Mr Mansfoid 10, Mr Houlker 13, Mr llargroavos L 2. FINANCE. Tho balance sheet showed that tliei receipts for the year were £237 17s 5d and that the amount carried forward from last year was £324 13s 4d. The expenditure was £306 Is lOd, leaving a credit balance of £256 8s lid. Tho cash assets of the Society are £361 11s od, while the liabilities are £24 2s ii(], leaving a credit of £340 9s. In reply to Mr Durbiidgc, it was stated that the Australian quail were liberated in the AVakapuaka district. On the motion of Messrs Durbridge and Elliott it was resolved that it bo a recommendation to the incoming Committee to endeavour to get -into its own hands tho sale and distribution of all licenses issued by the Society. - The rftport and balance sheet w.as then adopted. ■ ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Ten nominations were received for the Committee of eight membors, and the following wcro elected : — Messrs F. H .Durbridge, O. AY. Hanby, W. T. Hargreavcs. C. J. Harley, T.'Houlker, J. Pollock, F. E. Shiittleworth, and H. B. Walker. Mr Ralph Catley was Unanimously re-elected secretary and treasurer, amidst applause. NOTICE OF MOTION. In accordance with notice given, Mr Mansford moved "That the river Maitai be closed Jiext season from Sunday hole, including Parker's creek, to the branches, viz., north and south." Speaking to the motion, tho mover said that the fish, wore small in this river, and in the interests of. the sport this portion of the Maitai should be closed. •Mr Booth, in seconding -the motion, said it was a sacrifice to close the river, but it was high tima that this was done. . . Mr Batehelor moved as an amendment that the Maitai be closed two months earlier than usual, viz., to be open from Ist October to 28fch February only. — Seconded by Mr Walker. Mr Hanby said that th&e would ba a falling off in revenue if this portion of the river was closed. If the river was closed earlier than usual-it would servo the purpose. Mr Booth said that the reason Jicenso fees were falling off was because there wus no fishing in the Maitai river. The amendment was then put and declared lost. The motion, was then put and carried on the voices. , . GENERAL.'----"'" 1 Mr a R, -Hafley moved that it bo a rec.omincadation. to the Committee to consider the question of closing each of the rivers in the district for a season in rotation. Mr Condell sec-, onded the motion, which was carried. Mr Andrews moved that the incoming Committee consider thci advisability of affording country members an opportunity of voting for the election of officers by post. The chairman ruled. the motion out of order, and said notice of motion must be given of any alteration, in the rules. Personally ha favoured the proposal. Mr Andrews then moved that the Committee consider the question of altering the method of voting to allow country members to vote by post. Mr Condell seconded tha motion, and suggested that the annual meeting be hold on an evening suitable for country members to attend. 11l reply to Mr Kelling, the chairman said that notices of motion -coukC bo, embodied in the advertisement call- , ing the annual meeting. The motion was then, carried unanimously. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Condell and Mr Andrews, that the annual, meeting of the Society be held on volunteer .night in May next year. A hearty vote of thanks was accordeel Mr Harry Wastney for allowing the Society to use a portion of his property at Todd's Bush as a deer park. A vote of thanks was accorded tho v chairman, and tho meeting terminated.