THE ASHBURTON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY AND FISHING SEASON.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1350, 24 September 1886, Page 2

THE ASHBURTON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY AND FISHING SEASON.

The following letters and telegrams referring to the matters recently treated of in an ert'cle which appeared in our issue of the 14th h st. have been handed to us for publication :

Aehbuiton, 20th Sept , 1886. To the President and Members of the Canterbury Acclitn tisation Soo'ety, Christchurch,

Gentlemen —O n behalf of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society we desire to submit the following for your consideration :-«■

After last fishing season, the anglers in this county, desirous of doing all In their power for the encouragement and increase of trout and salmon, and for the protection of fish in the lakes and streams within the county, also, for the prevention o( poaching and oth- r illegitimate practices, mainly from the advice of your Secretary formed themselves into the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, wh'oh was duly registered, as notified by the “ Gazette” of the 15th May last. They, therefore, claim to have a right to speak in the name of the anglers of the county on matters in which they are interest jd*

That ttie interests which your Society is associated to conserve cannot be efficiently cared for without the assistance < f such local {co operation is, we believ, undoubted The distance which separates us from Christchurch prevents you from taking any active measures for the protection of our streams, and also make* it impossible that Wo can join your Society and take part in your deliberations. We therefore claim to be considered as fellow-workers in the objects for which both Societies have associated themselves, and beg to submit that, so far as this county is concerned, onr co-operation is elea-Iy most necessary for those objects. The Ashburton Society has requested the Colo ial Secretary to proclaim that the fishing season for the rivers within the county should bo open on the Ist day of October (first), and they respectfully ask your Society to acquiesce ia this recommendation, and to be so good as to forward your approval to t' e Colonial Secretary, should you approve, in time to reach Wellington by 22nd inst.

The fact that ovo'y river has its own seasons, and that di difference of season is recognised in every country where legislation has taken care of such matters is so well known that it is hardly necessary to remind your Society of it We, therefore, a*k to be considered fair judges of our waters, and what seasons for fishing suit them, and would mge that because October 15th is the fit and proper date for opening the fi-hing season on the Avon and rivers ab ut Christchurch, it does not follow that the same date is equally suitable to the rivers of this county. As regards the fses, not des're to raise the que-tion to which Society shall those received from licenses issued to anglers within this county go All wo desire is that the necessary appointment of rangers and other expenses for protection may bo defrayed, Se long as the balance is expended in pisciculture, in the results of which we should c’aim our share, we should be quite oont°nted. We trust, therefore, that you will take this letter into your favorable consilcra tion, and fool justified in complying with the r que t contained in it, as both reusona le, and one which will further the interests which both Societies are associated to advance —We have, &c., W, 0. Walker, President.

A. H Shury > Members of Chas C Fooks j Committee Messrs W. C. Walker and five others, Ashburton. Gentlemen, —In rep'y to yours of the 20th inst, I am directed to inform you that owing to absence and engagements of several members it has been impossib'e to get a formal meeting of the Council, but in consultation with the Chairman and others it was concluded that the Society, having fixed by a resolution the 16th day of October for opening the season for fishing throughout our district, after mature consideration, that even if there was a possibility of revoking that decision it is too late to call a meeting ; and it is thought that matters are not so urgent rs to render it necessary to call a special meeting, as a fortnight can make but little difference

Then the greater question of subdivision, boundaries, and proportioning of liabilities is n matter that must be settled before the Society can acknowledge the right of the Ashbuiton people to issue licenses. As i personal matter I must repudiate the statement made in your letter, viz , <hat you formed a Society ma : nly from the advice of your Secretary.” My suggestion to Mr Sbury wna this, “ Would it not be well to form an auxiliary branch to onr Society at Ashburtcn, in Older to have a local control over all matters con nected with the Society in the district?” Now r , as an impression has been made on the minds of some of our members that I was the instigator of your Society being formed, and such feeling strengthened, no doubt, by moving that the season for fishing should commence on the date you wished for, making it appear as though a collusion existed between us. As there was nothing of the kind, I trust you will see the necessity devolving upon you to remove su:h conviction —I am, etc., 8. C. Farr, Hon Secretary and Treasurer.

P.S. One or two special Bangers will be sent up to your part of the district, sworn in ns special constables ; so I think you need not fear much poaching. — S O.F.

Urgent Memo. Wm.i.xorojr, September 20. W. C v ' a iker, M tf.K , Ashburton.

Tn reference to your message to the Preniii r of 15th inst., regarding open season for fishing in rivers in your county, I find the county of Ashburton is included in the Canterbury district, as defined by warnin' under the hand of the Governor dated 10th March, last page 362 of the Gazette. I don’t think that different dates for opening the fishing season in different !• calities in the snme district should be fixed or would work well I submit that in the interests of pisciculture it would bo better to consolidate the districts as much as possible instead of subdividing them At present there are no fewer than eleven fishing districts in tha Middle Island. Better bring about a friendly understand ing between Ashburton and Canterbury districts.

W J. M. LaknjlCh, ] To Hon W. J. M. Larnach, Wellington. Christchurch Society refuses to consider our wishes • holds out in selfish spirit Cannot see why Governor’s warrant cannot bore issued, re defining North Canterbury district, and making Ashburton county separate district - only way to settle matters amicably-. Quite agree present state of things anomalous. Glad te discuss with you best way of reorganising whole question. Time presses ; act promptly-. W. C. Walker. September 24, 1884, [Telegram.] 23rd September, 1886. To G S. Cooper, Colonial Under Secretary’, Wellington.

Please reply to application re fishing season Ashburton county. Hope yon will assent immediately. W. C. Walker. [Reply ] To W. C. Walker, Esq, Ashburton.

Am directed to iu r o m you that a« county of Ashburton i< in the Nor'h n « hury Acclimatisation So< irtv’a district it will not be necessary to make special regulations for your Society, as those for Can'erbury will apply Please see note from Hon. Sir Robert Stout to you. dated 7th, and hon Minister of Marine Department’s telegram, of 20th inst. W. Seed.