ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11286, 21 June 1904, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the above Society was held yesterday afternon at the secretary's office, Ridgway Street. MINt'TES. — The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. - ANNUAL REPORT.— Ths annual report wa9 then read as follows: — Trout. — During the year, 17,000 rainbow trout fry have- been distributed in the Wangaehu, Waitotaira and Mangawhero. The trougha under charge of Mr $ E. F, LiflHon at Wjutotaxa, are a complete succcsb. The fish are fed regularly at no expense to the Sbcfety; aud during the "year, some 1500, from four to six inches in length, have been reared and turned into the river and it^tribu,tory, Rotokolm. In a very few jreara tKc upper reaches of the river will be 0^ of the best streams in the district for "fishermeo. During the year, abnormal floods have occurred in the Wanganui and Waitortara rivers, and quantities of large fish weTe found dead and dying in both rivers^ smothered with mud; fortunately, itt-3bhe/».Waitotara, the huge slip, causing the excessive mud, fell into the river beioW whfcre the trout were liberated, and it £B.only ihose in the lower reaches that suffe>.<ed. Some 60 were found from 6 to 14 16b un weight. In the Wangaehu, the nattfre v " ' of the water seems to have much changed, and trout and other fish coming in from, the sea have been seen above the tragic r ßridge. In the Mangawhero, trout have- been seen and caught m the vicinity ot .AberTeldie and upwards. At a' meeting of She: Committee held on July Bth, 1903, and, whioh was more largely attended than the annual meeting of members, it was reeolved, at the request of the Northern Sofifetiea. $9 join in asking the Gcvernmeni to^eclaie, a close season /for imported j game (the season Being one undej thfe Statute for MBjkr^sm^a -conference J -»WiS held at Stratlomj'pi, February, and it vai agreed by he"JßaTJ?era s \Stratford-, and Taranaki Societies to approach the Government with this object-; tile Government at first-decided to .adopt this-coufse; and only at; the iast moment changed its" decision. tpyis caused s,ome confusion but representatiionß.were made to the local postmaster with the result tha liceness were issued undf?rWSections 5. of, the Animals Protection Jj&~ 1903 (which' fixes the license fee at 26a). Deer. — The shooting season for deer war' opened on ih,e aame Aake hhia year ac liiflfc,' and J the 20 licens^fr were all taken up. Committee regret that many deer wofe ; wounded in aosiition to those killed and secured. Three does were seen shot' and dead, and some others in the herd were badly injured. If the same liberty is permitted in the future -this- herd will soon be exterminated. The Society should, if possible, secure the shooting rights over the properties the deer most frequent. Alteration of Rule. — At the last annual meeting it-was resolved that all persons taking out season fishing licenses be enrolled as mem■tfers of the Society in the hope that fresh interest would be taken in its progress, and seven new committeemen were elected. It is-.evident this has had a good effect as considerably more interest in the welfare of the' Society has been evinced, which, after ail, exists fox -the benefit of the district as well as for affording healthful recreation and amusement for all classes of tie "community. — Appended is a statements of acfcounjts mad© up to March 31st, 1904, «pl^ublished in, 'accordance with Statute liss. — Your Committee having filled their term of office now .resign. For the Committee, -W./T: OWEN, President. -' BALANCE-SHEET.— The balance-sheet ahdwing .# credit balance of .£159 10s lid, itsas read and adopted. .■--ELECTION OF OFFICERS.— The elec"tjkm.. of .officers was then proceeded with. mikw. T. Owen declined re-election as pjflaeiiiient', • thtrtqgh' accept office, ami Dr Earle was elected as his successor. 4*ho remaining' offices weie filled as fol-iow^:—Yice-President, Mr C. H. Chavanries. Hon. Sec. and Treas., Mr E. N. %iffiton (re-elected). Committee— Messrs Sr.^Tv^Owen.'F; Willis, Thos. Bamber, W. Tfttelcet; J. 'H- Hurley, L. Bayley, T. H. palmed, J. .Macdonald, Jno. Peat, and Donald^Ro£6. VOTE OF THANKS. — The hon, .secret#ry? Mr E. N. Liffiton, was accorded a ■fcote^of thanks for Ma services during the «ae&yeaij . - f "BBLEGATE.— Mr W. T. Owen was appointed to'represent the Society at the Acclimatisation Societies' Conference at WellinfetOTl. - 'gtieepTES SHOOTING GAME.— A l«ttei,waj»'read stating that owing to the naii^fekgbeing given -large .supplies of ammunition, they were making, wholesale war rti'<tlie,.g»me throughout the district, and •were shooting- all the year round, killing cocW.a'nd hens alike. It was resolved to '#rite'--|b the Native Minister and the chairman of the Maori Council, requesting them tottalte steps to put the practice down. .' : ;Thi4 being all the business, the meeting adjouTiied. . ; -