Quarterly Newsletter

Forest and Bird, Issue 107, 1 February 1953, Page 13

Quarterly Newsletter

Date.— The news in this Newsletter is that received in the office of the Society up to Ist December, 1952.

Christchurch Section.— 20th August Mr. Norman France showed moving pictures of travels in India, China and New Hebrides'. The hall was packed, and about 40 people had to be turned away. This should have been reported in last quarter’s Newsletter but was somehow missed.

On 15th October Mrs. W. S. Mac Gibbon gave a showing of her motion pictures of wildlife to a crowded meeting of members. On 22nd November the Section held a Field Day at the Orton Bradley Estate at Charteris Bay; about 110 present, 3 bus-loads plus private cars. Professor McCaskill took the party through the plantations and members had lunch alongside the old water-wheel, which is still in full use.

Auckland Section. — We offer congratulations to the following, who were the prize winners in the project competition mentioned last quarter:—■ First, Dallas Moore; Second, Sally Macfarlane; Third, David Cook; Fourth, Micky Leahy. A most successful evening function was held in the University Zoology lecture theatre on 12th September, when Mr. Sibson gave an account of his experiences while attending the Ornithological Congress in Sweden in 1950, and Mr. Moon screened his remarkable films of New Zealand birds. About 150 were present.

On 27th September a Field Day at Rangitoto under Mr. L. Millener, two launches and 200 members, . largely juniors for whom Mr. Millener organised nature competitions. On 9th October Miss M. Crookes gave members a very interesting talk on “Ferns We Meet” in the Zoology lecture theatre. And on 18 th October another Field Day, this time at Martin’s Bay, Mahurangi Heads. The party broke up into three groups, two to study bush, and one the birdlife on the coast, under Mrs. Prickett, Mr. Holt and Miss Macdonald. Mr. K. Given, Committee member, gave a talk to the Boys’. Brigade at Avondale, at which great interest was shown by his audience.

The Section’s exhibit at the Cheeseman Memorial Show at the Auckland Museurn is illustrated on the inside of the back cover of this issue. Sanctuary at Marton.; Mr. A. O. Bartlett’s property at Silverhope, Marton, has been declared an “Area excepted from the provisions of the open season for game”, on his application, made through our Society, to the Minister of Internal Affairs. Protection of Blue Heron and Bittern. — At a recent meeting of the South Island Council of Acclimatisation Societies, the Canterbury Society brought forward a remit suggesting removal of this, on the grounds that the birds had become a menace to trout stocks. After Mr. G. F. Yerex, Controller of the Wildlife Branch' of Internal Affairs, and Mr. D. F. Hobbs, Senior Fishery Inspector of the Marine Department, had spoken, the remit was dropped. Kennedy’s Bush, Christchurch. lt is good news that, after repeated representations from our Christchurch Section, the Summit Road Scenic Society and others, active steps are to be taken by the Christchurch City Council to preserve this Bush. Riccarton Bush. a result of the appeal for native tree seedlings made by Professor McCaskill through our columns in the May 1952 issue, sufficient seedlings have been received from members of the Society, and particularly the, pupils of Moana, Ahaura, and Totara Flat schools in Westland, to partially stock the nursery. Within three years it is hoped that it will be able to supply the requirements each year for planting in the bush. Society’s Holiday Camp at Lake Waikaremoana. -We have space on going, to Press to say that this Camp, under the leadership of Mr. Bernard Teague, was a great success. The attendance was 58, including 14 children, and all present were unanimous in their opinion that it had been well worth while and would be the forerunner of future camps. A fuller account will be published in our May issue.