IMPROVING SPORT

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1935, Page 8

IMPROVING SPORT

HAWERA ACCLIMATISATION WORK.

SOCIETY’S HATCHERIES CLOSED.

In the report of the president, Mr. B. C. Bennett, to the annual meeting of the Hawera Acclimatisation Society on Tuesday it was stated that at the beginning of the season it was deemed advisable to discontinue the rearing of fish at the hatchery as the water supply failed when the dry weather set in. That difficulty had been experienced for some years and was becoming progressively more acute, bearing out the contention that as the district had been denuded of its national bush and vegetation, so the water supplies had been proportionately diminished. The late curator, Mr. J. J. Miller, who had so capably conducted the hatchery despite increasingly difficult water conditions transferred to the management of the Taranaki Society's Durham Road Hatchery, • and the society was fortunately able to make satisfactory arrangements with that body to hatch the annual quota of brown ova. That arrangement worked satisfactorily and 7 had been extended for a term of five years, so members could have the assurance that there was no occasion for - apprehension as far as stocking the rivers in the district was concerned for that period at least. The arrangement appeared mutually satisfactory to both societies and there should not be anything to prevent its continuation indefinitely. A consignment of 250,000 eyed ova was obtained from the North Canterbury Society, the first liberation of 100,000 fry being made oh October ,21 in the streams along the ElthamOpunake Road beginning at the Waingongoro. The council was assisted in this liberation by Messrs. Cran, Bates, Silson and C. Gardener, who took over their allocations at Kaponga and attended to their distribution. A second liberation of more, advanced swimmers by members of the council assisted by Messrs. J. C. Barclay,’ G. Spink and W. Jellyman was made on December 16. This lot was placed in the streams grossing Skeet Road, from the Waingongoro at Te Roti to the Otakeho at Auroa. The final liberation of fingerlings (75,000) was made on February 2 in the streams crossing South Road from the Waingongoro to the Puniho. Additional assistants on , that occasion were Messrs. Major Bourke and C. Haynes. The whole fishing area received a liberal quota of fish well and truly distributed. In the pheasant rearing department it was not possible to chronicle an equal measure of success, although a total liberation of 87 birds was made and it might be possible to supplement that number. A lease of the hatchery property was arranged, the tenant to rear 200 birds for the society as a set-off against rent but the venture was not successful, and it had been necessary' to purchase birds from other breeders in order to do the best possible for the shooting men. The council . was of opinion that that arrangement could be carried out successfully and the objective of 200 birds realised. Reports from sanctuaries and protected areas were encouraging and pheasants were being re-established in appreciable numbers. If an annual liberation of 200 birds could be maintained for a few seasons quite reasonable shooting should be enjoyed.

An open season for game had been proclaimed this year but the. shooting of grey duck was restricted to two months (May 1 to June 30). Recently a meeting was held at Stratford to consider an amalgamation of the five bodies, but it was not deemed expedient. However, as an outcome of the conference a plan of federation was favoured. and at present a scheme in this direction was being formulated for acceptance by the bodies concerned. The idea underlying the suggestion was that each society retain its individuality and function as formerly but in concerted action and expression of opinion. The finances were ■. still in a healthy state. The year started with. £lO6 in the working account and ended with £lB7. Portion of the Opossum revenue from the Government was still outstanding. In view of the improved financial • positioh the order for ova had been increased for the coming season to 350,000 and a considerably increased output of pheasants was aimed at. Members would notice a considerable increase in shooting license revenue, the result of good work on the part of Waverley friends and the ranger at Patea.

Meetings of the council had been well attended and the interest of its members had been well sustained. Thanks were due to members of the council for their loyal co-operation, also those enthusiasts who had assisted with liberations and all others who had contributed to the results achieved.

The retiring members of the council Messrs. B. C. Bennett, J. A. Duffill, E. Drake and W. R. O. Spooner were reelected unopposed. Subsequently Mr. Bennett was re-elected president, Messrs'. J. A. Duffill and B. C. Gibson vicepresidents and Mr. R. A. Graham secretary.

The principal amounts received during the year were: Shooting licenses £l2O, fishing licenses £lB5 2s 6d, rent £l6 15s. •The principal items of expenditure were: Purchase of ova £37 10s, hatchery charges £55, purchase of pheasants £lO 10s, repairs and maintenance (installation of light) £3l 14s Bd, wages to curator £lO 16s, to ranger £5, honorarium to secretary £lO, rates £4 14s lOd, loan to Taranaki society £5O. The loan to the Taranaki society of £5O free of interest had enabled that body to form another pond for the Hawera society’s fish, said Mr. Bennett. The term was, five years and the arrangement was beneficial to both societies.

Arrangements were well in hand for the erection of a fish ladder at the South Taranaki Power Board’s dam over the Waingongoro River, reported the chairman. It was decided to express appreciation of the power board’s grant for the work, and of the assistance rendered by Mr. J. A. Duffill. Mr. T. F. McKenzie was reappointed auditor. A recommendation was made to the council that the Kaupokonui River from the Glenn Road bridge to Dunn’s Creek be reserved for fly fishing only from January 1 next to April 30. It was decided to recommend to the Department of Internal Affairs that there be an open season for opossums from June 1 to August 31 as usual. OKAIAWA PERSONAL NEWS. Mrs. Hogg is the gue:. of her mother, Mrs. Leees. Mi', and Mrs. Thomas, who have been the guests of Mrs. A. Ward, have returned to their home at Fitzroy. Mr. and Mrs. L. Cleaver have returned home from a • holiday motor tour. ■ Mr. A. Ward and Miss E, Ward are visiting New Plymouth.