ACCLIMATISATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18407, 14 August 1931, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION.

THE AUCKLAND SOCIETY. TROUT FISHING AND SINKERS. REQUEST FOR WEEK-END LICENSES At the monthly meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, held in Hamilton last night, the president. Mr F. E. McKenzie, presided over a full attendance of delegates. Prior to the commencement of the business the Mayor of Hamilton (Dr. F. D. Pinfold) extended a welcome to the president and visiting members. He mentioned that the interest displayed in acclimatisation matters by local members would show that activities in the country were not lagging. The president briefly thanked the Hamilton members for their welcome, and went on to say that the object of the country meetings was to enable license holders in the various districts to have an opportunity to speak on matters relating to the society, particularly matters affecting their locality. The ordinary monthly business of the council would also be transacted.

Speaking on the liberation of pheasants, he said that in his opinion the day of this bird was coming to an end, owing to the ease with which they could be taken. He thought that the money expended on pheasants could be used to better advantage if spent on chukor. A letter from the New’ Zealand Acclimatisation Association was read, notifying that the annual conference would not be held this year. This, the president stated, meant that several important matters would have to be deferraed for a year.

Referring to opossums, the president said that the Minister of Internal Affairs was considering the liberation of these animals in the Auckland Society's district. Weight of Sinkers. Considerable controversy was centred around the question of size and weight of sinkers, and baits, to be used in trout fishing, as defined in a recently formulated regulation. Several speakers voiced strong resentment of the limitations of the new rule, which sets the weight to be used as half an ounce, and prohibits tin' use of more than one indigenous fish as bait, others supported it as

being in ihe best interests of the sport. After various suggestions had been put forth it was recommended to Ihe executive that a weight, up Io two ounces he allowed in the Waikato River below Ihe Leamington bridge. Dr. F. 1). Pinfold, as a member of the council of the society, then moved that the recommendation be adopted. The motion was carried, several members dissenting-. Mor© Rangers Needed. Mr C. A. Whitney, speaking on a report on the work of the society’s two rangers, said that more men were needed to relieve them in covering the 7,000,000 acres in the Auckland district, and thus cut down the present heavy overhead expenses. One means of reducing expenditure was railway travel instead of the use of cars by the rangers, as at present.

Mr F. D. Basket! thought that tho suggestion to do away with one of the society’s cars was not an effective method of saving money; in fact, such an action would prove expensive in the long run. A motor car represented the most efficient means of travel, in that the ranger could drive to many parts inaccessible by rail. Mr Whitney disagreed with this, and said that it was not possible for two rangers to control the huge area in their district efficiently. The president said that this question of ranging had been before the society for several months, and he hoped that it would be finalised. The revenue for the year would be £3300, of which about one-third would be used in ranging. This was considerably less than the amounts set aside for this work by other provincial societies. It was not right to expect the, rangers to carry out their duties without a car, which was the best means of transport for them. On the motion of Mr N. S. Johnson it was decided that the report of the rangers’ committee be adopted. A sub-committee, consisting of Dr. T. W. J. Johnson, Messrs T. S. Withers, and C. A. Whitney, was appointed to consider two applications from Putaruru that week-end licenses be issued in that district, and that the Little Purirl Stream be permanently closed.