ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY AFFAIRS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23113, 30 January 1945, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY AFFAIRS

Sir, —On recent occasions Mr J. McDonald, chairman of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, was reported to have said at meetings of his council that: “As far as wild life is concerned we know more than scientific men.’’ As an angler and a student of biology, it seems to me that Mr McDonald’s statement shows an unscientific attitude, the like of which has done much to prevent the recognition and use of scientific data already collected from the Canterbury area. He also said: “I can see no reason for any all-time fresh-water research department; it is just making easy jobs for a number of people.’’ This “we know more than the men of science” attitude, which Mr McDonald has twice publicly used, may prove detrimental to the future of freshwater research in New Zealand, where it is urgently needed. I have read many scientific papers concerning the effect of stripping on fish, the spawning habits of trout, and salmon, etc., all of which have been written by scientists who do not trust “ingrained knowledge” but prefer cold facts. If Mr McDonald persists that such as lie have an “ingrained knowledge” of wild life that scientists do not have, why does he not put that knowledge on record for the benefit of present and future generations of anglers and scientists.—l am. etc., H- M. McMILLAN, Rangitata Huts. January 27, 1945.

Sir, —I note the report of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society regarding fishing at Lake Alexandrina. As a regular angler at the lake over a number of years I agree with members that the fishing is going from bad to worse. Why, however, blame bait casting for driving the fish into the middle of the lake and then allow motor boats, speed boats and surf boards to take control of the waters? These are becoming more common and will do more damage to angling than all the bait casting rods that will go up to the lake. I do not believe in live bait fishing anywhere, but with some of the weather encountered at Alexandrina the bait casting rod is the only means of getting a cast out. What is wrong with Lake Tekapo as a motor boat and speed boat course? The Ashburton Acclimatisation Society has nrohibited motor boats of any description from using any of their fishing lakes, why cannot the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society do likewise?—l am, etc., LICENCE HOLDER. January 26, 1945.