FISH AND GAME

Wairarapa Age, 5 March 1935, Page 5

FISH AND GAME

ACCLIMATISATION PROBLEMS. POLICY POINTS EXPLAINED. WELLINGTON COUNCIL VISITS MASTERTON. There was a brisk discussion on acclimatisation matters at the annual meeting of licence-holders, held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms last night, when several members of the council attended to explain points of policy. The chairman of the Wairarapa North Sub-Committee, Mr. O. Jansen, presided over an attendance of about fifty. The members of the council present were Dr. A. G. Anson (chairman), Messrs J. G. Fleming, R. H. Nimmo, W. J. H. Haase and E. J. C. Wiffen (secretary). “What has the committee done in the past year in regard to getting better representation on the council!" asked Mr. R .V. Mason, referring to a resolution passed at the last annual meeting of licence holders, after the annual report had been read. The chairman replied that nothing reallv concrete had been done. Personally he thought they had received a better hearing this year from the council and had been very well treated in the matter of trout fry. The committee asked for 200,000 fry and these were given without a murmur. As to shooting, there were several bones of contention. THE GAME FARM. Referring to the greater activities at the Masterton Hatchery. Dr. Anson said the whole matter had received very careful consideration and they were convinced that the amalgamation of the game rearing and fish rearing departments would eventually be an economy to the society, ultimately to be run under one expert with skilled assistance. Centralisation was necessary for economy and there was the possibility of the game farm activities Increasing to a considerable extent. The society was not committed to the rearing of pheasants alone and provision was being made at Masterton for the rearing of smaller game birds. Moreover, better ranging facilities would be provided by reason of one of the assistants at Masterton being expected to carry out these duties when the opportunity offered. Referring to representation on the council, Dr. Anson said the idea of altering the whole constitution of the society was In Jke the whole matter hinged uptin being made for the amalgamation of certain .societies and the reorganisation of district boundaries. A conference had recently been held concerning amalgamation and very great progress had been made. T>r. Anson mentioned the probability that in the reconstitution of the rules provision would be made for meetings of the council to be held at other places besides Wellington. Mr. Jansen observed that changing the venue of council meetings would not materially change the policy of the society and he doubted whether the expense would be justified unless provision were made for licence holders views to be -considered. REPRESENTATION.

“The constitution of the present council to my mind is very unfair, " said Mr. R. V. Mason, who asserted that one-third of the licence holders were located in the Wairarapa and yet they did not have one-sixth representation on the council He alleged that certain figures relating to the acclimatisation society's activities in the district. published in the Press, were misleading. Mr. Mason referred to recent representations made to the society for the opening up of land around Wairarapa Lake and asked what had been done. He had also urged that something should be done to protect ducks and increase cover and food supplies. He challenged the wisdom of releasing pheasants when large quantities of poisoned pollard were being laid for rabbits. He urged that separate licences should be issued for pheasants and ducks. They wanted more ranging but as to the statement that the new game attendant would be able to devote some time to ranging he questioned whether he would have any spare time for such duties. Mr. Mason said the conservation of game was a problem. The biggest part of the natural breeding ground of ducks and swans around Wairarapa Lake had gone, he asserted and he was greatly surprised at the change that had taken place. In the event of amalgamation, said Mr. Mason, they were going to have better representation. He maintained that the council should be elected proportionately on the number of licence holders in the district. If they did no<t get that representation they were going to the Minister of Internal Affairs to get fairer representation than that at the present time.

A voice: “Is Mr Mason speaking for himself or for the local committee!"

Mr. Mason: 44 1 am speaking for myseld. It is the opinion of no one else but myself." MR. NIMMO’S REPLY.

Replying to some of the points raised by Mr. Mason, Mr. Nimmo said they were the very ones that they had come here in the hope of settling. In the release of pheasants they were guided by the reports of the rangers and he certainly would not favour birds being IrfJfratcd in rablut poisoned areas. Refefrtag to obtained from licence holders. Mr. Nimmo said the total revenue received to date for the current year from licences was £1703 and of that amount Wairarapa *s share was £239. Mr. Mason: 44 Based on a close season for ducks/'

Mr. Nimmo stated that the society was going to press for periodical close seasons for ducks and had recently decided to spend a substantial sum in the Manawatu district for the provision of food. Out of £834 in shooting revenue last year only £212 was spent on pheasant rearing. They had to remember that the council had to meet the wishes of all parts of the Wellington district. Replying to a further point raised by Mr. Mason. Mr. Nimmo said the drop in game licences last year was not nearly so great as had been anticipated on account of the close season. The previous year the game licence revenue was £B7O, as compared with £834 in the past year.

Dr. Anson detailed the steps being taken to provide better access facilities for ahooters at Wairarapa Lake. Provision had been made to open up one area of Crown land to shooters.

Mr. W. H. Saunders said many lie

ence holders wouSd like to know what amount was to be expended at the game farm at Masterton and if that sum would be found out of the reserve fund or from revenue.

Dr. Anson replied that the exact amount of expenditure was not known at the present time but it would be provided from capital. Defending the action of the council in establishing a game farm at the Masterton Hatchery. Mr. Nimmo said he believed that it would later be recognised as a wise move. He forecasted a big increase in these activities and also in the rearing of fry. At present the Hatcheries were working at capacity of two million fry and he thought that it would only be a matter of a few years before that would be increased to four millions. VIEWS OF THE MEETING. At this stage the council members withdrew and ordinary business was dealt with. A motion was passed to the effect that members were ready to support the candidature of a local man willing to stand for election to the council at the annual general meeting. The meeting recorded its deep appreciation of the work carried out at the Masterton Fish Hatcheries by Mr. J. Miller during the past season. It was decided that letters of appreciation be forwarded to the Wairarapa Power Board and Messrs Booth and Beetham for providing facilities for fishermen at Korarau Dam. A recommendation was made to the incoming committee to urge that the society pay a bonus of Is 6d per pair for shag’s feet. The meeting favoured the issuing of complimentary fishing licences to constables stationed in small areas, a motion to that effect being carried unanimousiy. Officers were elected as follow:—Committee, Messrs F. C. Brockett, W. H. Saunders, R. V. Mason, F. Moss, H. H. Dawson, C. E. Grey, O. Jansen, S. Goldsmith, W. Dale, D. Wallace, J. Dwyer; secretary. Mn G. W. Darville. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring committeemen and to the retiring secretary, Mr. F. C. Brockett. At a subsequent meeting of the committee. Mr. W. H. Saunders was appointed chairman and also delegate to the council.