ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18204, 4 March 1929, Page 11

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. A meeting of the Council of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held at Temuka on Saturday afternoon. Present—Messrs C. S. Young, O Howell, J. McDonald, J. Stevens, G. G. Rich, W. S. Gran., and T. Twigg. In the unavoidable absence of tho president, Mr C. S. Young occupied the chair. EXTENSION OF HATCHERY. The subject. of extending the hatchery for eyeing Rainbow ova was discussed, and Mr Grant was asked to report to next meeting details as to plans and cost. Mr Macdonald questioned if it was wise to go ahead with the extension of the hatchery. It was possible that jf they continued to release the number of ova they were now releasing in Lake Alexandrina, they would soon find that tho lake was sufficiently if not overstocked. The chairman said that there would probably be a sufficient outside demand to warrant the extension, and it would not be an expensive matter. RAINBOW OVA. The Nelson Acclimatisation Society wrote that they were stocking Lake Ratati with Rainbow trout, and desired to know if the South Canterbury Society could supply 75,000 to 100,000 yearly, for five or six years. The chairman said he would like to see tho Society in a position to fill the order. Mr Macdonald pointed out that they would be able to reduce the number of ova released in Lake Alexandrina. and it would then be quite possible to supply the Nelson Society’s order. Mr J. S. Main, the ranger, was of opinion that it would be quite feasible to supply the order. It was decided to write to the Nelson Society, intimating that they were able to supply their needs. CHAMOIS AND THAR. The Department of Tourist and Health Resorts wrote that it had been decided to have an open season for shooting chamois and thar in the South Canterbury and Waitaki Acclimatisation Districts, commencing on May 1, and ending on May 31. Three iiceftnes would be issued by the Chief Department at Timarn, and three at Oamaru, at a fee of £lO a license. EMERGENCY PUMP. Arising out of a statement by Mr J. S. Main, that the new water supply at Temuka, coming through new concrete culverts, might affect the fish in the Society’s hatchery, a lengthy discussion took place as to the advisability of installing a standby electric pump in case o.f emergency. The chairman said he had always been m favour of such an installation. There were nearly a million fish in the hatchery at the mercy of the water, and should the supply fail or prove unsuitable, they would he a complete loss. Tho cost of the pump would be at the most £6O. He thought that if they never used the pump, the purchase could not be classed as extravagant.

A member: “The purchase of the pump would be a similar expense to tho purcha.se of an insurance policy.” It was decided that the secretary report to the next meeting on the matter. RANGER’S REPORT. The ranger (Mr J. S. Main) reported that in the last month the rain rivers had been too low and weedy to give good results to the fly fishermen; nevertheless, some fine fish up to 10 and 121 b had been caught in the lower reaches of the Opihi, with occasional good baskets of lib fish. The Temuka and Orari rivers had given anglers the limit at times in the lower parts. The Rangitata, up to the first of the salmon run, gave poor sport. This was due to the flooded condition of the river more than to the scarceness of trout. There was a slackness in the salmon run. The fish were not showing up in numbers as in the past three seasons, but they were superior in condition and size. Lake Alexandrina anglers, fishing during the week-ends, were still obtaining fair catches. He had placed notice boards on the gates and at the six fireplaces at the outlet of tho lake. From the side streams of the Opihi they had shifted over 5000 trout. There were a lot of pools isolated from the main stream, but .os these had plenty of water to keep the fish alive for some time, he had not tried to shift' them, as they would only move into the pools again, as soon as the river rose. The report was adopted. Members expressed the opinion that the season had been an exceptionally dry one, and the rivers had all been very low, especially the T© Monna and the Orari. Some of the members had gone to a good deal of trouble shifting trout from isolated pools that were rapidly drying up, but despite this, thousands were lost. A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Macdonald, Twigg and T. Jones, who had done good work in this connection, in the upper reaches of the Te Moana. GENERAL. .The report of the treasurer showed that the Society had a credit balance of £622 0a 3d. Accounts amounting to £ls 3s 7d were passed for payment. Tenders for the painting of the ranger’s, house at Temuka were submitted by Messrs M. Swap, £35; A. D. Cameron, £26; and W. A. Edgeler, £24 133. —The lowest tender was aocepted. The chairman mentioned that a large number of people did not know the meaning of sanctuary; and it was decided to erect notice boards at Lake Alexandrina, pointing out that firearms and dogs were not allowed there. Mr F. Trott, of Tekapo House, wrote stating that he would carry on tho arrangement made by his predecessor, relative to the Glenmore hut. An application for a hut site at Rangitata, made by Mr R. J. McKeown, was granted. The transfer of a hut at Rangitata from Mr A. McLean to Mr G. Hadlee, was approved.