ACCIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144671, 4 May 1915, Page 4

ACCIMATISATION SOCIETY.

ANNUAL REPORT. Jhe nnnuaT report of the 'Taranaki Acclimatisation. Society, to be road at x!ie annual mooting this evening, is as follows: Your committee lias much pleasure in presenting the forty-first annual report, for the year ending .March Jl. 1915. am) congratulate member** on the* result of the work done. Finance; On relerring to the balance-sheet it will lie observed the revenue', for the year was £294 Js. The figures are encouraging, showing an increase both in fishing and shooting licenses which, added to the balance carried foiwaixl lasi year, gives a total of C 320 Us. The expenditure amounted to C 249 9s Bd. but an amount of I" 19 18s Brl still shows as accounts outstanding.. However, when all liabilities are satisfied there remains a credit balance of 1:01 Os 8d to start the new year’s operations with. Good work has been accomplished at the hatchery. One hundred thousand brown trout ova passed through the curator’s hands, also the same quantity of rainbow. Very little mortality was experienced, the fry hatched proving very strong and healthy. Figluv-si.x thousand brown trout, fry were liberated and lhr* balance of 12.000 are now in the hatcherv and will be liberated as yearlings. Of the rainbows 81,00!) hare been liberated, and the balance (19.000) are hold to be released as yearlings in the spring. Another attempt was made to brood pheasants from the birds in tho pheasantry. but results were again unsatisfactory. Seventeen dozen eggs were obtained. Tho majority were distributed fo fanners and members bin. with tho exception of one brood, no sun-ess was tho result. Tho fishing season was a really good one, ami anglers express themselves well satisfied with results achieved. The liberating of so many yearlings is answerable for this success, and if the plan is continued it. will not bo long before ail the streams are well storked. Honoris to band are encouraging for the shooting season, as there seems to be a good number of birds about the districts. Pheasants are fairly numerous, and in some places the quail are proving a pest. The best thanks of tlio society aro due to Mr. Seal, our curator, lor tho very efficient work he has done. A more enthusiastic and energetic officer it would be bard t-o obtain.. The result of his good work is making itself evident in tho improved fishing condition* now enjoyed on the streams. Illicit shooting to a considerable extent is still going on, and will continue to do so until tbe lines inflb'tod on offenders an* more severe. In the last ease brought before ibc conn, shooting •ducks out of season, the absurd liue of ;C 1 was inflicted.