ACCLIMATISATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14015, 25 September 1909, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION.

WAITAKI-WAIMA.TE. A meeting of the combined WaitakiWaintate Acclimatisation Society was held at Waimato on Thursday aftornoun. Present —Messrs J. Mitchell (.presiding). Fuinilton, Drummond and Mcintosh from the Waitaki branch, and Messrs A. A\alker, 1!. Smicli ai»t A. Keen.

The rides were revised to bring the society into line with recent legislation affecting Acclimatisation Societies. In the evening the annual dinner was held in Bart'onl's rooms, when there was an occupant to every chair at the tables. The dinner., as would bo expected consisted largely of game, iish and fowl—and was placed before the guests in Host Harford's usual firstrate 6tyle. Before commencing the attack the president (Mr A. Walker, welcomed all present, but more especially their Oamaru friends from the Waitaki Si>ei;>ty a body with which the Waimate Society had been for years closely allied, "and as the younger branch for the great assistance and good fellowship extended to them in many ways. As regarded the local society the members of the Council were "enthusiastic in their work, and did their best to encourage sport- in a sportmanlike manner. After dinner a long tonst list, was gone through, and tbe following were some of the remarks made in proposals and replies:— Mr A. Walker said the societies had done a lot for sportsmen. Fishing had been assisted by means of convenient huts, bridges, punts, etc., and with the fish placed in the lower Waihao some time ago. he thought all the rivers would givo good sport in the coming season. Reports from tho Waitaki river augured well for the summer. Tho societies were also democratic in providing lUs licenses, and trying to give anyone a chance of joining in tho sport. . Mr Mitchell (Oamaru) speaking from a long experience, said their dealings with other societies had never been quite the same as with Waimate, front whom thev had received many proofs of kindlv ieeling. and he hoped they in Oamaru" had shown tho same to "\\ aimate. With some other societies self had seemed to be the rulin£ element which was not to tbe l>cst interests of acclimatisation: the societies should work together for the advancement of their objects, not only in their own, but in any d'istrict to which they could give assistance in any way. Messrs Hutt and Collett expressed their measure at the society's work m placing birds, etc., in Knottingly lark, and hoped they would continue to make additions and help to make the Park an idpal resort, perhaps eventually, a zoological park. Councillor Walker said the County bad one acclimatised bird too many—the sparrow. The County had spent £SOO or £9OO per year to decrease his depredations, and he was honeful that the small owl would make this expense mi'cb smaller in future. During tbe gathering songs and reritatiins interspersed amonrr the pneecbes helped to make a pleasant evening and the company snng "Auld Lang Syne" before separating.