ACCLIMATISATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1341, 14 September 1886, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION.

Although accliroatists have made many mistakes in New Zealand from which the colony is suffering very ' severely—as, for instance, in the introduction of small birds and rabbits, which have become perfect pests and while in consequence people are naturally apt to say hard things of enthusiasts in such matters, there is one direction in which the results obtained have already been most satis_ factory and encouraging, viz., that of pisciculture, and the stocking of our rivers with fish. Almost altogether void of finny denizens as they were only a few years ago, the rivers, streams, and lakes of New Zealand now afford some of the finest trout-fishing in the world, and indeed we do not know of a river in the Old Country which can give such a record for a. single season for the same number of miles fished over as the Opihi, for instance, which recorded a take for last season of some 7 tons of trout, nearly a ton of which, was credited to a single tod. Even in the Ashburton, which is not so full of fish as the Selwyn and many others, one of our local sportsmen took with the minnow last season some 145 fish, grossing about 3 cwt,

another 69 fish of an average weight of 3lbs 30ZS, while several others recorded lakes of from 5° 60 fish each. What has been accomplished in this direction, affording, as it does, an additional attraction to residence in the colony, besides contributing a not unimportant item towards our food supply, is amply sufficient to encourage still further efforts not only for the introduction of freshwater fish, but of such fish as require both fresh and salt water at alternate periods, and among which the salmon stands first in importance. It is therefore desirable that organised efforts should be put forth in the various centres of population, and for this reason the several local societies deserve the hearty support of the public. It is true that for thestocking of the Ashburton the thanks of the public are due mainly to private and individual effort, a large number of fish having been turned into the river by the late Mr Charles Reid, and by a former owner of Valetta—we think Mr Hirst, while Lake Heron was stocked with trout through the efforts of Mr Pollen, the total number of young fish received from the parent Society—the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, that is to say—having been only some 3500 trout and 5® 0 salmon. But while in view of these facts it would appear that this district has scarcely received its fair share of attention from the parent Society, there is yet, we believe, every desire on the part of the members of the branch Society to work cordially with it. That there should have been any attempt to establish a branch Society seems to have been to some extent resented by the Christchurch body, but why this should be so we cannot understand, as it is obvious that the local Society can much better look after the rivers of the district and the due protection of the fish therein than can a Society whose headquarters is fifty or sixty miles away. The branch Society was gazetted on the 6th

May last, but owing to some extraordinary oversight no district or jurisdiction was assigned to it, hence on sending up its rules to be gazetted it was discovered that there was no district to which they would apply. What is now desired is that an arrangement should be made by which the parent Society should adopt the proposed rules for this particular district, and take steps to bring them into force therein, that the branch Society should be charged with the regulation of the fishing season and the care of the rivers in its district, and after defraying the necessary expenses incurred in the protection of the fish that the balance of its revenue should be paid into the funds of the parent Society. This seems a very sensible and feasible arrangement, and it ought not to be found difficult to give effect to it. It may be mentioned here that the fees for fishing licenses collected in the Ashburton district for 1884 were about £4O, for 1885, ;£6B 1 os, and it is anticipated that those for this season will range between and We have said that the branch Society desires to regulate its own fishing season, and we may now add that the reason for this is that this is just one of those matters which require to be determined by those cognisant of local conditions and circumstances. For example, it is found that while, according to Mr Spackman, the spawning season in the Avon extends to October the fish in the Ashburton spawn in July, so that the fishing season here might open in September, while in Christchurch it may not be advisable to throw the water open until towards the end ol October or the beginning of November, This, then, is a matter which car obviously be best dealt with by the loca ! Society. But tlte way out 0: the difficulties which have ariser as indicated above is evidentlj by a mutual and friendly arrangement being arrived at, and we are glad tc hear that a meeting of the paren Society is likely to be held shortly wit! the view of considering proposals t< this end

ProMCßld (h« 8«rimll«ra!! If when you call for, American Hop Bitters (see green twig of Hops on the white label and Dr Sotde’s irtne blown in each bottle) the vendor hands out anything bnt American Hop Bitters, refuse it and ahun that vendor as you would a viper; and if ho has taken your money for anything else indict him for the fraud, and sue him for damages for the swindle, and wo will reward you liberally for the conviction. “I Have goffered. With every disease imaginable for the ast three years. Our Druggist, T. J. Anderson, recommending “ Hop Bitters ” to me, I used two bottles 1 Am entirely cured and heartily recommend Hop Bitters to every one. J, D. Walker, Buckner Mo. Counterfeiting- Proves Superiority

“ Although counterfeiting is one of the greatest crimes against the business of any country and in many cases—- “ Destructive of health apd life ! ” “ It proves beyond a doubt the ” “ Superiority ” Of the article counterfeited ; As no inferior article is counterfeited Proof of this is found in the great number in “ Australia, England, France, “ Germany, India, Belgium, Canada an the U.S.— Of counterfeits of the great remedy, “ Hop Bitters,” Whose name and merits are so wellknown the world over that it is a “ Shining mark and favorite prey “For counterfeiters ! ! ! ” Beware of all that does not hare a green cluster of hops on the white label. Proiecnts the Swindlers ! If when you call for American Hop Bitters {tec green twig if Hops on the white, label ami Dr Sortie's name bloivn in the butt’e), the vendor hands out anything but American Hop Bitters refuse it and shun the vendor as you would a viper; and if he has taken your money for anything else indict him for the fraud and sue him for damages for the swindle, and we will pay you liberally for the conviction.