ACCLIMATISATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10051, 8 February 1927, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION.

BOOTH CANTERBURY SOCIETY

MEETING OF COUNCIL,

The monthly meeting of the Council of the above Society was held at Temuka on Saturday afternoon. Present: Messrs T. R. Mackay (president), E. Hardcastle, J. McDonald, W. S. Grant, T. Adams, E. Macdonald, L. Story, G. S. Young, T. Harrison, L. B. James, AV. E. Boys (treasurer), and B, Hughes (secretary). Arising out of the minutes of the last meeting, the action of the subcommittee in purchasing a new motor cycle and side-chair for £lO5 and- the old cycle, was confirmed. The following correspondence was dealt with:

The 'Department Internal Affairs wrote enclosing warrant authoiis ing the taking of not more than six paradise ducks for the purpose of releasing same in the Wellington Zoological Gardens. —Received. Same re introduction of motor power boats on Lake Alexandiina, saying that the matter is really a question for the courts' to determine, whether the use. of launches could be prohibited on a sanctuary. —-Received.

Same re close season for opossums, pointing out the suggestion of the Director of Forestry, that there should he a dose season throughout the Dominion this year for opossums if the industry is to be protected.

The secretary was instructed to reply that the Society was in favour if the season were closed throughout the Dominion.

The Marine Department wrote re the length of fjuinnat salmon nets, that such length shall not exceed SO yards.—Received., Same re fishing at Rotorua and Taupo, advising Society to have note at the foot of licenses saying that the. license does not entitle the holder to fish in those districts. — Received.

The Ashburton Acclimatisation Society wrote re ranging Rangitata River, reporting illegal fishing and advocating concerted action between the rangers of both societies during the salmon season. Decided to reply that the Society's ranger was willing to co-operate. The Southland Acclimatisation (Society wrote quoting brown trout ova for the 1927 season.—(Received.

Same re wekas. that their ranger had not been able to procure any to date, but had hopes of obtaining them from a Stewart Island i evident who had offered to get six pair. It was reported that the wekas had arrived and had been liberated, and the secretary was instructed to write to the Southland Society thanking them for obtaining and forwarding the birds. The Mackenzie County Council wrote .re wekas, thanking the Society for liberation of three pairs on the islands in Lake Tekapo. The Council expressed its appreciation, and stated that they would” be glad to refund to the Society the cost of the birds. —Received. The Milford Lagoon Association solicited a donation towards protective works at the Milford Lagoon, the estimated cost being stated as £3OO.

The secretary was instructed to reply that the Society did not have the power to grant money for such a purpose. Mr W. F. Evans applied for the transfer of a hut, “Riverslea,” at the Raugitata reserve, to David Brown. —Application approved. The Marine Department wrote re the regulations prohibiting trolling at Lake Alexandria, and stated that on receipt of a formal application the question of issuing the necessary regulation would be considered. After discussion, it was decided that an application be made to the Minister asking that the necessary regulation be made. Mr J. McDonald moved that the Minister be requested to give the 'Society control over all the boats at Lake Alexandria. He reported that there had been trouble over the Society’s boat, which had been broken loose, and that the oars and rowlocks should be kept under lock and key. Mr James seconded the motion. iMr Young moved an amendment that no boats be allowed on the lake at all, Mr Harrison seconding. ,On being put to the meeting, the .amendment was lost and the motion carried. The secretary reported that the .amount received to date for fiehing licenses was £565 16s. TREASURER’S REPORT,

The treasurer (Mr W. E. Boys) reported as follows: —Receipts; By balance last meeting £6l 2s, fishing licenses £216, hut rente £S Us Bd, hut rents Lake Alexandrian. £2 7s, Ashburton Acclimatisation Society £SO; total £338 Os Bd. Expenditure: C.F.C.A, deposit at call £IOO, secretary’s salary (three months) £l2 10s, ranger’s ©alary and expenses (three months) £64 Is 2d, shags’ heads £6 4s* charges wild rice seed £2 10s 4d, accounts passed £3O 7« 9d, petty cash £5, telephone £3,

Vacuum Oil Coy. £4 7s tid: total £228 Os Od. Bank balance £lO9 10s lid, C.F.U.A. deposit £BOO, P. 0.5.8, £27 10s 7d. Credit balance £437 Is 6d. Accounts amounting to £33 Is 6d were passed, for payment, The report was adopted, RANGER'S REPORT. The ranger (Mr J. S. Main) reported that the fishing had been, poor in the Rangitala this last month, due to a succession of floo da but there was plenty of good- fish in the tidal waters. At odd times anglers had caught five or six fish, and trout up to 161bs had been landed. There wtas every indication, of a good run of salmon. Quite a number had- been seen, playing in the tidal waters and an odd one running the first ripples. Of late, the fishing in the Orari had been better than it had been for some years past and bags of fish had been taken out of the lower waters; fish up to 121 h hacl been landed-. There had been -fair fishing in the lower pools of the Opihi, and good fish had been landed, many weighing from 6 to 121hs. The best hag had been ’l7 fish from 3 to 7Jibs. 'Good bags of fly fish had been taken from the Temuka River, and- the best fish landed were 61-bs. The blanket weed at the present time is breaking, and is a source of much annoyance to anglers fishing the Opihi and Temuka rivers, Good bags of fish were caught in the Pareora all last month hut like the rest of the streams, it wanted a fresh through it to clear away the blanket weed. The report was adopted.