SPORTSMEN MEET

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20841, 27 June 1939, Page 8

SPORTSMEN MEET

BHOOTINQ BEABON DATES LATER CLOSING FAVOURED (Special to Times) TE KUITI, Tuesday Many matters of interest to sportsmen were discussed when the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society met representatives of South Auckland clubs. About 100 sportsmen representing the Te Kuiti, Piopio, Otorohanga, Kawhia. Eden, West Coast, Hamilton and Hunlly clubs were present. Mr F. E. McKenzie presided. The secretary, Mr C. Gordon, reported that the number of shooting licences taken out was about 400 le*6 than the number last year. The returns still to come in were unlikely to make up the deficiency. The revenue from fishing licences had increased by £IBO, there having been a tremendous increase in the issue of day licences. Referring to the shorter shooting season, the chairman said the council’s recommendation to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, had been that the season he extended for a further six days. The meeting generally endorsed the opening of the season on the first week-end in May, hut an extension at the end of the season was suggested. The council decided to accept an offer to experiment for a year on a commercial basis with the breeding of grey duck in the hope that it might he found possible to liberate them in the same way as pheasants. No action was taken in regard to a similar offer of breeding from Canadian mallard stock, hut after a long discussion it was decid« d to renew the contract for the liberation of mallard duck, it being felt that, although results so far had been unsatisfactory, these birds had not yet been given a fair trial.