ACCLIMATISATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20281, 3 December 1935, Page 7

ACCLIMATISATION

SOUTH CANTERBURY COUNCIL OPEN SEASON FOR GAME The Council of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society held its monthly meeting at Temuka last evening. Present: Messrs J. McDonald (president), H. Washer, H Loomes, W. M. Metcalf, H. G. Ellis, J. H. Smillie, J. Stevens, B. Triggs and T. M. Lucy. The Department of Lands and Survey advised that nothing had been decided in regard to the change of ownership of the small area at the top of Lake Alexandrina on the expiry of the present lease. The conditions of the lease held by Mr G. Murray for five years were outlined. The Society had the unrestricted use of the area at present. The chairman said he did not think that any further action to have the area vested in the Alexandrina Domain Board could be taken until the lease expired. Mr Smillie suggested that an application be made and it would then be in plenty of time. It was then agreed on the motion of Messrs Smillie and Lucy that an application be made immediately to the Land Board asking for the area to be vested in the Domain Board. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote inquiring for the Society’s recommendations in regard to the open season for game. In connection with the shooting season, the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society advised that it was applying for an open season of one month for both paradise duck and pukeko with a limit of 10 head a day. Pukeko were numerous and were doing extensive damage, and an extension of the seven days’ season was desired for paradise duck. The Society was also applying for an open season for chukor, with a limit of 10 head a day. The chairman said he did not think that there was any chance of getting an open season for pukeko. If an application were made the season would need to be for one month, andnot one week. The present system of issuing permits to farmers covered one week. Mr Stevens moved and Mr Smillie seconded that an application for one month for pukeko and paradise duck with a bag limit of 10 for pukeko and five for paradise duck, be made. The motion was carried and it was decided also to apply for two months for grey duck, spoonbill and black swan with a limit of 10 head of duck and 15 swans. Mr Stevens suggested that the duck shooting season should open on June 14 instead of June 1 because the birds finished on May 31, and the ducks were disturbed by the fishing, which would have time to settle again. Members agreed that the birds were beginning to pair early in July, and, in any ease, it would not be advisable to try to change from a rule held by all the South Island Societies. In regard to quail, it was agreed to apply for a season of two months with a bag limit of 10 a day. The secretary pointed out that a special license was required for shooting imported game. The Wellington Acclimatisation Society advised that the inquiry as to the method of conducting the eeling competition in Its district had been referred to the sponsors, the Anglers’ Club. The secretary (Mr B. Hughes) reported that nothing further had been received and it was agreed to advise the South Canterbury Anglers’ Club that £2 2s would be granted to It for the inauguration of an eeling competition, if the Club wished to organise one. The treasurer (Mr Lucy) reported that the receipts for the month totalled £75/8/5, including licenses £56/8/5, and that payments amounted to £B6/8/2. There was a credit balance of £494/19/6. The curator-ranger (Mr F. W. Pellett) reported that during the month general ranging work had been carried out on all the rivers of the district. No fish had needed moving. The hut at Lake McGregor was now in good order. Fishing generally had been fairly good, several fine catches having been made at Lake Alexandrina, and no breaches of the Animals Protection and Game Act or of the Fisheries Act had been detected. At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman conveyed good wishes to the members of the Council, and the staff. During the last six months it had been a pleasure to conduct the meetings. There had been several new members and they had all a good spirit. The present Council -was one of the happiest with which he had been associated, and at the same time one of the most efficient. He congratulated Mr Smillie on his success at the recent angling competition. The secretary thanked the chairman on behalf of the staff, and Mr Stevens reciprocated the good wishes on behalf of the members of the Council.