FISH AND GAME.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18618, 22 April 1932, Page 2

FISH AND GAME.

CONSERVING THE SUPPLY. ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY. CAMPAIGN AGAINST VERMIN. With regard to conservation of game and the protection of native flora and fauna, the past year has been one of considerable achievement so far as the Auckland Acclimatisation Society is concerned. Not by any means the least important of its activities has been the liberation of game and trout fry, and a determined campaign against such enemies as stoats, weasels and hawks, and as a result the district is well stocked with several species of garno birds, while the rivers and streams are the habitat of some of the Dominion’s finest trout. At the 64th annual meeting of the society, which was held last night in Hamilton, genera! satisfaction was expressed at the excellent work done during the past year, and matters relative to the plan of campaign for the forthcoming twelve months were discussed. The president, Mr F. E. McKenzie, presided over an attendance of nearly fifty members and delegates from throughout the district. The annual report and statement of accounts, which have already been published, were adopted. Commenting on the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that the society had now completed its 04th year, and he ventured to say thqt no commercial undertaking in New Zealand could show a better revenue account. The total game licenses taken out last year were over 2200, which seemed a remarkable number of guns to be shooting over the society’s district. Over 700 fishing licenses were also issued.

Extermination of Vermin. The expenditure of the past year had exceeded the revenue by £298, but the killing of stoats and weasels, which had long been a source of loss to the society, accounted for £306. Stoats and weasels, to the number of 2451. and 17,14 hawks, had been, killed, and by this means the primary object of the society, the conservation of game, was carried on. Referring to the liberation of game, Mr McKenzie mentioned that it was in iBG2 that two brace of Californian quail were turned out at Papakura, and from these birds had sprung the thousands which were now found ■throughout- an area of many square miles. Pheasants seemed to have ceased increasing, and the reason appeared to him to he that the bird liked maize and clover, and when it came to the cultivated land to find these foods it fell prey to hawks, weasels, and other enemies. A shipment of 20 chukor arrived at Hamilton near the end of last year, and had speedily become acclimatised. These birds appeared to be eminently suitable for liberation in the province. A further 400 were expected to arrive at the end of this month,

Work At Arapunl. The speaker went on to congratulate the societies'which had built holding ponds for trout fry. These were of great benefit in reducing the mortality among the fish. Perhaps the most important work undertaken by [he council was the clearing of underwater scrub and obstructions in Lake Arapuni. This work was- caried out with the assistance of the Unemployment Board, and would undoubtedly be of tremendous benefit to anglers. Two new sub-cluhs, Cambridge and Pio Pio, were formed during the year, but it was to he regretted that several others had gone out of existence. However, from a general aspect, progress had been well maintained, and he hoped that the same state of affairs would continue through the coming year. In seconding the adoption of the report, Mr F. G. Baskett, said that the •society was to be congratulated on the achievements of the year, and ihe enthusiasm which characterised tho efforts of the members. Valuable work had been done, particularly in the extermination of ground vermin, which was perhaps more important at present than the liberation of game. The president had referred to the lack of enthusiasm in certain of the districts, but he did not think that there was any cause for worry. The society owed a debt of gratitude to the president and secretary for the progress made In the past twelve months. Several other speakers commented upon tho work of the year under review, Liberation of Chukor. Mr R. llowarth mentioned that It had been stated that Cambrfidge was a suitable district for the liberation of chukor, and it had been suggested that representations should be made to have the birds established in that part. In reply to this request the chairman said that chukor were at present in ihe nature of an experiment, and must he liberated in the districts that had been recommended as most suitable. This year they were sending some to Taringamotu, and next, year probably to Piilaruru. Later on other district? would he given attention. hut Ihe aim of Ihe council was In establish Ihe birds throughout Ihe society's district. Election of Officers. The following ofllcers were appointed for the ensuing year:— Council (four vacancies'. Messrs F. G. Haskell, 11. A. Chatfield. \V. T. Thomas, A. Cave : supernumerary members. Messrs G. Archey, 0.8. E., M.A. (biologist), H. A. Falla. ALA. (ornithologist-, T. L. Lancaster, M.Sc., F.L.5. (botanist) ; auditors, Messrs Thomson and Rodger. A request from the Putaruru Club asked the meeting to discuss the advisability of raising Hie length of trout to be taken from 10 to 12 inches. Mr \V. T. Roulledge, the society’s ranger, said that anglers generally had expressed to him the opinion that It was not desirable that 10-inch tlsh should be taken early in the season. other speakers supported the suggestion to raise the minimum length In the Auckland district to 12 incites, on Ihe ground that the ilrh had an opportunity to breed if the size were Increased. As a reeoinmend.ilimi In the incoming council. Mr llnwarth moved that steps tie taken to raise the minimum size to 12 inches. This was carried unanimously. Fish Passes on tho Waikato. The chairman paid a tribute to the long years of service rendered by Mr C. A Whitney, a life member, who was defeated in the election of councillors. t Continued in next corjmn.)

Air Whitney thanked the speaker, and went on to speak of the desirability or forming a fish pass, or electric lift at. the weir at Hora Hora, to enable the trout !o travel to the upper reaches to spawn. This facility was provided in other parts of the world, and he considered that 'the Government should he approached to make the same provision in the Waikato. He moved a recommendation to the council on these lines. The chairman thought that a fish pass was certainly needed at Hora Hora, but ‘the present time might not be opportune to ask the Government to bear the expense, and it would perhaps be advisable to let the matter rest a while. Alt’ G. G. Kelly did not agree with the chairman in postponing action, and considered that the recommendation should go forward. The motion was carried. Mr Whitney further moved that the Department of Internal Affairs be urged to remove their objection to the construction of a fish pass at Arapuni In order that the fish might move to the water above the source of power supply. . , .. Mr T. S. Withers supported the motion, and thought that a fish pass was urgently needed at this point. Fjsh undoubtedly passed through the diversion tunnel when it was open, but since this was closed they had no means of reaching the upper water. However, this did not appear to he a suitable time to approach the Government. It was decided to request the council to lake Ihe matter up at a more favourable time. Blocking the River. Mr Whitney said Hint ihe whole principle of allowing Ihe river to he blocked was establishing a precedent, and if the society let it pass without, comment it would have a detrimental pfl’ecl. Tlie Government had erected fish passes at other places in the Dominion and should make a similar provision at Arapuni. Air Withers drew attention to a report. that a large area of Crown land, which included several miles of Hie Waikato River below the Aratiatia Rapids, had been sold to afforestation interests, and it appeared that a stretch of the finest fishing water in the district would he lost to license holders. In the past it had been recognised that a strip of one chain was allowed anglers along the full length of fishing streams, and he moved that the Government he urged to consider the interests of anglers and acclimatisation generally when Crown land was being disposed of. The motion was carried.

Frio to the conclusion of the meeting votes of thanks to the. president, secretary (Mr (’.. Al. Gordon', and chief ranger (Mr W. T. Roulledge were carried with acclamation. .Mention was made of the opening of Ihe shooting season, which would take place on May 2 this year, as the usual day. May 1, fell oil a Sunday, Sportsmen were urged not to hasten the ri'ing of (lie birds by commencing shooting on Sundav.