Council’s Meetings During Queen’s Birthday Weekend

Forest and Bird, Issue 173, 1 August 1969, Page 14

Council’s Meetings During Queen’s Birthday Weekend

Councillors from ail over New Zealand met on the Friday night before the annual general meeting on 31 May. They met again on Saturday afternoon and for most of Sunday. Reports were submitted about the use of the Society’s lodge at Mt. Ruapehu, progress with the residence and bush at Bushy Park, and construction work on the new building on the big reserve at Tautuku, which is now almost ready for occupation. All of these buildings are. of course, for the use of Society members. The President and treasurer were re-elected. The following were elected to the Executive Mrs Du Pont and Messrs N. E. Dalmer, D. Bowie, J. A. S. Howard, J. K. Martin, H. J. Miller, Rolland O’Regan, N. Pallet!, B. E. Schlup, and 11. D. Saunders. A subcommittee was appointed to consider ways of publicising the work of the Society and increasing its membership. Implacable Opposition The President was directed to place once again before the Prime Minister the Society’s implacable opposition to the proposal that the level of the waters of Lake Manapouri should be raised for electric power generation purposes. Other important matters dealt with

included the representations made to the Government by the Society on the Law of Trespass Bill with the purpose of ensuring that access to reserves and recreational areas is provided; and representations made to the Minister of Lands.about the purchase of lands by overseas interests which prejudicially affect reserves, recreational 'areas, and the like. The meeting directed that the Minister be urged to resist by all possible means any attempt to weaken the provisions in the National Parks Act and Reserves and Domains Act, which ensure control of applications to exploit reserves for mining or other purposes. The possibility of holding a Conservation Year for New Zealand and the Pacific during 1973 is to be investigated. There is to be a Conservation Year in Europe in 1970. The Council welcomed the information that the Society’s documentary film was now completed and would be available soon. Members learned with appreciation that a fine new bush reserve had been bequeathed to the Society. Details will be published in “Forest and Bird” as soon as legal formalities are completed. The next meeting of the Council is to be held at Bushy Park over the weekend beginning 14 November.

Lake Kohata Wildlife Area

LAKE KOHATA, near Wanganui, has been declared a reserve for wildlife management purposes,” the Minister of Lands, Mr D. Maclntyre, announced recently. The reserve would be controlled by the Minister of Internal Affairs under the Wildlife Act 1953. “The lake, which until now has been vacant Crown land, is reached off Kaitoke Road, 5 miles south of Wanganui, and covers 19 acres. Access to and round the lake is provided by a surrounding strip of Crown land 1 chain wide,” Mr Maclntyre said. “The lake carries a good population of black swan, pukeko, and water-bird game such

as mallard, grey, shoveller, and paradise duck. “The reservation results from Government policy to preserve suitable Crown-owned wetlands for wildlife conservation and allow managed game shooting in season. “This policy is, in the interests of naturalists and sportsmen alike, to ensure that suitable wildlife habitats are preserved throughout the country and especially where only limited suitable areas are available. “Game shooting will be allowed in season where the Department of Internal Affairs considers it is desirable,” said Mr Maclntyre.