GAME FOR SPORTSMEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 99, 30 April 1935, Page 7

GAME FOR SPORTSMEN

ACCLIMATISATION MATTERS WANGANUI ANNUAL MEETING PAST SEASON REVIEWED The annual general meeting of the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society was neld last night, a fair attendance being presided over by Mr. P_. J. Duigan. ‘•'The income for the year was £122 6s 7d and the expenditure £224 18s sd, being an excess of expenditure over income of £lO2 Ils lOd, which has been charged to accumulated funds account,” stated the annual report. This account now stands at £587 2s 2d, the whole of which is represented by liquid assets. The income for the year shows a contraction of £7O as compared with last year. This is practically all accounted for by the fact that last year we received £6l 9s 3d share of opossum revenue, but so far this year nothing has been received in this connection. The disposal of this revenue is in the hands of the Government, and your committee considered it prudent not to anticipate in this respect. “The expenditure was £224 as compared with £164 last year. The excess is more than accounted for by reason of £53 16s being spent on yearling fish just prior to the close of the year, and a grant of £22 10s to the Wanganui Beautifying {Society. This grant was made for the purpose of planting reserves with trees and shrubs suitable for providing food and shelter for our native birds during the lean period of the year. These trees included tree lucerne, eucalyptus, leuuoxylon, and campbelli, which varieties produce abundant supplies of honey flowers over the late winter

and early spring months. The society has on hand a limited supply of the above trees and members requiring some for planting this season should make application. This is most laudable object, ami your con’ll.i.ttee feels certain that it will meet with the approval of members. These are the only items calling for any comment in the accounts. Imported and Native Game “*Sixty-one pheasants were purchased and liberated in selected localities where they should do well. The birds were procured from several local breeders and were of good quality. “Your council was anxious to make sure of further stock for this year, and as the opportunity presented itself of securing 100 birds from the Wellington Society on favourable terms the offer was accepted. The birds )vill be delivered at the close of the present shooting season. “Some two or three years ago your committee gathered evidence from various reliable sources, and it was all 100 conclusive that some comprehensive action was necessary to- save Ihe native grey duck from extinction. Representations were made to the Government, to take a bold course and declare a close season for the whole c-f the North Island. Little or no support for the proposal was received from other societies and the Government naturally was not disposed to run cc-unter to the wishes of the societies to whom the control of game had for years been more or less entrusted. Since then further evidence of the desirability of such a course has accumulated, and it is pleasing to note that some other societies have now seen the gravity of the situation and your committee is hopeful that its original propc-sals for periodic close seasons will find favour in the near future. “These splendid sporting birdshave to run the gauntlet of an. ever-increas-ing number of sportsmen as well as suffer through the destruction c-f their feeding and breeding grounds and the depredations of various forms of vermin.

“Your society brought forward a remit at the conference urging the precision of more sanctuaries, and we are pleased to report that it received a favourable reception. “The season for native and imported game this year is similar to last, viz., two months from May 1 to June 30 for native game, and three mc-nths from May 1 to July 31 for imported. The limits of three head of cock pheasants and ten head of duck per gun per day have again "been imposed. “The regulation in respect of the use oi decoys has been clarified and licence holders’ attention is particularly drawn to the alteration whereby not more than fifteen decoys per gun may be used and such decoys shall not be spread over a greater area than thirty yards square and shall not be placed within .100 yards of the nearest decoys set out by any other person. Fishing ‘ ‘ Follow ing the policy decided on last year, 5000 brown yearling trout have just been purchased and liberated in the Mangawhero River. A year or two of extensive stocking will sonn produce results, and your committee feels that anglers will then have a good fishing stream within easy reach of the city-

“Recently negotiations between the local bodies concerned and the Alain Highways Board have been in train for the expenditure of a considerable sum of money in widening and straightening the Parapara Rc-ad. These negotiations are just on the point of being finalised, and when the work is completed it will be a decided advantage to anglers wishing to visit the Mangawhero, National Park streams and Taupo district. “The Tongariro and Taupo fishing continues to attract an ever-increasing number of anglers from this district, and your committee has at ail times been active in making suggestions and recommendations for improvements in the control and regulation of this fishing. “Quinnat salmon have again been ] observed and caught, in the "Wanganui River, and the time may not be far distant wli-en there should be a run of these fish in the river. A specimen of a diseased trout was caught in the Aiangawhero River and submitted to the Inspector of Fisheries. It is a disease well known to fishery experts and has only recently made ils appearance in New Zealand. “In order to assist in combating its spread, your society would be glad if any information which anglers may secure as to further instances of the disease. “The New Zealand Freshwater Fish Research Committee has accomplished most valuable work, but its future operations are in jeopardy owing to lack of funds. It would be a great pity if this work were to cease, and in order to assist in its preservation your committee recently voted a sum of £lO. The matter of a further grant will require consideration of the incoming committee.

Opossums An open season was again observed last year and a record number of skins was taken in this district. Prices showed an improvement over those of last year and the industry was the means of providing profitable employment for quite a number of men. Last year the Government allowed societies one-third of the net revenue derived from licence fees and royalties, but so far no such payment has been made this year. The ranging, supervision aud certification of the skin dockets entails quite a considerable amount of work by the society’s officers, and it is only reasonable that the societies should receive some recompense. Alter all, whatever revenue is received in this connection is only allotted to the general objects of the society, which, are the conservation, control and protection of fish, game and native birds. Vermin il Unfortunately we cannot record any improvement in the position as regards vermin. These are steadily on the increase and it is becoming difficult to keep pace with their depredations. Representations were made by the conference to have the protection completely removed from stoats and weasels- This has been refused by the Government on the grounds that these animals exercise a measure of control in keeping down rabbits. Actual ex perience from those who are in a position to know is that rabbits form only a secondary article of diety for these creatures, where feathers ' and eggs are to be obtained. Conference “The 20th Conference of the Acclimatisation Societies was held in Wel-

lington on September 26 and 27, 1931 Your society was represented by it president. The three remits from th society, viz:—Removal of protection from magpies; consideration of propc sals for close seasons for grey duck and a recommendation for the pro vision of more sanctuaries—all founi favour with the conference. “Arising out of the conference, th societies were virtually requested b. the Government to consider the mal ter of amalgamation of some of th< small societies in order that th trust reposed in them of control o native birds, game and fish, might b more adequately carried out. “Your society was subsequently rej resented at a conference in Palmei ston North, which the Wellington Hawke’s Bay, Feilding, Waimarino and Taranaki Societies’ delegates als< attended. The matter was considerei from al] angles and further action wa deferred until the Taranaki, Wainia rino and Wanganui Societies held : further conference to explore the pos sibiiities of amalgamation betweer those societies in the formation of : West Coast Federation. The furthe conference was subsequently held a Stratford and provisional proposal agreed oa which are to be submittc by the delegates to their respective societies. The matter will come be fore your society at a later date. General “The society’s rangers, both pan and .honorary, were active throughou the season. The society is in a strong position although it has encroached on its accumulated funds to some extent, but t must be remembered that the funds were built up for the purpose of judi cious spending on the society’s ob jects as and when opportunity offered “Tn conclusion, your committei again expresses its appreciation of the friendly co-operation and assistance received from many quarters. Tn thi; respect we single out the Press anc our farmer friends throughout the dis trict.” € Elpr.ion of Officers Practically all last year’s officers were re-elected. The result was: Pat-

ron, Mr Jas. Allison; presidpnt, Mr 11. J. Duigm; vice-presidents. Messrs H. R Beauenamp. T 11. James and E. P. Sealey; counci 1 Messrs A S. Hardy, L. Sheppherd, R. S. Withers H- Mp.ngu•mn, J. H von Haast, H. Rose A. F. Healey, J. Dunlop, A. 11. Coe. 11. R. Quarterman, B. F. O’Brien, P. G. James, D. Smith, R. Sinclair and D. Earle: hon. solicitor, W. A. Izard; auditor. T. Ballinghall, F.P.A. (N.Z.); secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Falconer.