ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19806, 23 May 1934, Page 13

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

COUNCIL’S ANNUAL REPORT SMALL LOSS ON YEAR The thirty-eighth annual report of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society contains the following:— ! A perusal of the income and expenditure account will disclose that the sales of fishing licenses again receded; the total revenue from all sources being £1039/0/4, as against £IOBO/18/7 for the previous year, a drop of £4l/18/3. All expenditure was very closely scrutinised, the total for the year being £1054/18/11, compared with £1156/16/1, a saving of £lOl/17/2. The actual deficit on the year’s working proved to be £ls/18/7 Oast year £94 12/11), which was increased by the provision for depreciation. £135/8/8. to £lsl/7/3. In view of the prevailing conditions, the Council considers the result of the year’s working to be reasonably satisfactory. Trout. At the opening of the season good bags were reported; but. as is usual with the advance of the season after large numbers of fish are taken out of the streams, the catches became reduced in size. This applies to all the more heavily fished waters, and it is probable that some of the most accessible rivers are over-fished. Lake Alexandrina did not yield as many good baskets during the past season as in former years, although a few anglers met with success. The heavier rainfall in this district during the summer and autumn maintained a plentiful supply of water in the streams; and very little work was entailed in removing fish from drying pools. Brown and rainbow ova were collected from the local rivers and Lake Alexandrina, and an additional 100,000 rainbow ova were purchased from Lake Taupo. Fry were liberated in the following streams:—Brown trout: Ohape (Orari) 19.000, Waihi O/orner’s) 40.000, Pareora (Upper Cannington) 10,000, Kakahu (Beautiful Valley) 28,000, Tengawai 36.000, Opihi (above Fairlie) 111,000, Irishman’s Creek, etc. 22.000, Opuha ‘'Clayton) 126,000, Orari (Badham’s) 32,000. Rangitata 136,000; total 560.000. In addition to the above 255,000 eyed ova were planted—ls,ooo in Scott’s Creek and 105,000 in the Opihi River at Burke’s Pass. Rainbow trout: Scott’s Creek (Lake Alexandrina) 375,000. One hundred and twenty-five thousand eyed ova were taken by the Nelson Society, and 70.000 green ova given to the Ashburton Society. The total output from the hatchery for the season was 935,000 fry and 380,000 eyed ova, as compared with 878,000 last year. Since hatching at Temnka was commenced, there have been liberated in the local rivers and lakes 3,961,000 brown trout fry and 2,531,000 rainbow fry. Attention is drawn to the provision made by the Council enabling genuine unemployed anglers to take fishing licenses on payment of 10/- at the time of taking out the license and the balance in January, provided this is guaranteed by a member of the Council. Salmon. The run of salmon in the Rangitata River this season has been definitely less than in former years; this condition, according to reports, being general throughout Canterbury. Very few fish were seen showing in the up-river pools, and the numbers taken by anglers must be considerably less than in any season since fishing for the quinnat was permitted. It is probable that what has happened to the trout in the past is now taking place with the salmon. Evidently the cumulative eifects of the angler and the natural enemy exceed the natural increase. It must be noted, however, that more of these fish were taken from the Opihi River than has been the case recently. Believing the eel to be responsible to a great extent for the depletion of the rivers, the Council has encouraged the working of eel pots by interested persons. A further supply of these was made and distributed. Although it is difficult to secure complete records, the cards returned show that 4270 eels were taken totalling 99271 b. Opossums. An open season {hiring June and July was declared for these mammals, and considerable numbers were trapped during that period, ’ the Society’s share of the revenue therefrom being £22/17/2. An open season has been asked for the same months this year, and if granted will give employment during the slack winter months. Game Shooting. Duck shooting in South Canterbury is now practically confined to those people who have private ponds and those of their friends who are invited to share the sport thus offered. Reports would indicate that grey duck are more plentiful than in recent years, and probably the limitation of the bag to ten birds per gun per day, and the shortening of the season to two months is having the effect of allowing the game to not only hold its own but increase in numbers. The Department of Internal Affairs declined to accede to a request for an extension of the season for taking black teal until the end of July. This Council also made strong representations in an endeavour to secure a short open season for pukeko, feeling that this bird causes considerable trouble to farmers when allowed to increase as it has in certain localities. The request was declined as permits are issued enabling farmers to shoot where the birds are causing damage. Holders of small farms are of the .opinion that the permit is ineffectual as the pukeko is so wary as to be almost unapproachable by one gun. During the year 29 permits have been issued, 584 birds being reported as shot. Sportsmen should lose no opportunity of destroying as many shags as possible, as, with the eel, the shag is a principal cause of depleting the rivers of trout. The Society pays 2/- per head for adult birds, 1/- each for nestlings and 6d each for eggs. Representations being made to the Council drawing attention to the depredations of the German owl amongst small birds, it was decided to offer 1/per head, the position to be reviewed when the amount expended reached £2O. Reports show that these birds are a very real menace and their destruction a work of necessity to the cause of acclimatisation. Only 63 heads have been purchased so far. Poaching. Organised poaching now appears to be well under control as the result of the activities of the ranger and his assistant. Three convictions were secured:—Shooting, no license (two cases); taking trout by means of hands (one case—police). A number of minor offences were detected, and 14 persons were warned. The formation of an Anglers’ Club in the district has been noted with considerable interest. The objects of

the club are commendable and deserving cf the whole-hearted support of all sportsmen. Your Council has appreciated the several offers of assistance and it is felt that the co-operation of the club wall be of great help to the work of this Society. No entries were received for the Raine Memorial essay competition, and it is a matter for regret that such slight interest is taken by the schools in natural history. The thanks of the Council is again tendered to the magistrate and police, who are always willing to assist; and to the many persons, private and official, who help the work of the Society. Also to the secretary and the curator and his assistant for their keen interest in the welfare of the Society’s work and in the faithful discharge of their duties. Obituary. It is with deep regret and sorrow that it is necessary to record the death during the year of the late chairman, Mr T. R. Mackay. For many years he worked earnestly in the interests of this Society and evinced a keen interest in the welfare of ang' rs and the gun sportsmen. His service to the cause was greatly, appreciated. Others who had been prominently connected with the work and interests of the Society, and whom the h-*nd of death has removed from our midst, are the late Messrs J. Pigott, W. G. Aspinall and T. E. Gunnion. Mr Pigott was a member of the Council for many years, and was a particularly keen angler. Mr Aspinall was very active in the work of the Society from its earliest days, and had at various times acted as chairman, secretary and treasurer. His death removes one of the rapidly disappearing links with the co,rly history of acclimatisation work in South Canterbury. Mr Gunnion’s interest was more in the direction of preserving the native flora, but he was at all times ready to assist ffie work of the Society. The sympathy of the Council and members was extended to their relatives.