ACCLIMATISATION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 656, 5 November 1909, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION.

SMALL BIRD PEST. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE Tho sovonth annnal conference of the Now, Zealand Acclimatisation Society's Association was hold yeetorday at the Oddfellows' Hall. Mr C A Pitzroy presided, and tho following delegate* were present —Messrs A H Shuiy and P. H Cox, Ashburton, W. PollaTd, Marlborough, E V. Pa>ton and A M'Cosh Clark, Auckland, E N Liffiton, W-anganui, C A. rit7roy, Hawke's Bα), D M'Callura, Taranoki, A l>rpon, Waimanno, T J. Dovme and A J. Wellington, H Whitcside, Canterbury, W 'J Aspinall, South Canterbury; A F. lowe, Wcstland, E Chisholm, and W. C Chamberlain, Otago, and J A. Hanan, MP, and L G Reid, Southland An apology' for absence, owing to illness, was received from Mr J Arthur Jones (Stratlord). It was decided to forward him a letter of sympathy. The following office-bearers were elected:— President, Mr L 0 H Tripp, vice-president, Mr C A Fitzroy, council, Messrt> E W. Payton, T Earl, Dr B Moorhouse, E Chusholm, .. A. Jones, J S Entherford, E N Liffiton',! J. A. , Hanan, M.P., T. Brown, A. P. Lowe, W. Pollard, and J.'E. Wilson; treasurer, Mr L G Reid, auditor, Mr. G B Hull, secretary, Mr C I Ua^nt. Mr. Pollard referred to' the adyisableness of calling quarterly meetings of the council to disouss the affairs, of the association, and moved a recommendation to the president embodying tho idea. The motion- was carried. It was decided, that the council'take steps to have the socioty registered under the Incorporated Societies Act. The various remits submitted by -the societies were then dealt with. Red and Fallow Deer. { The first remit on the order paper was a | local one affirming that the conference considers it desirable that there should bo a uniform' season throughout ' tho. . Dominion . for shooting red and fallow deer. Mr Reid explained that the Govornmont I desired the conference to : consider' the matter. I Ho did not advocate it, as his society was not' in favour of- , it. Tho Government did. not suggest any dates Mr Pollard said it was quite impossible to have uniform seasons The different societies should decide the question for themselves Mr Hanan, MP ~ referred to the awkward ness of tho recommendation, and thought each society should act as it thought advisable Hβ moved that the association reply that they could not accede to the suggestion, and that tho': matter, should be left to the discretion of each society Mr Liffiton seconded the motion, which -nas carriod. , Limitkip the Bag. Mr. Lowe moved:—'.That the bag of game bo limited, in the case of ducks, pukcko, and nahvo pigeons, to ton brace per day for any lioense-hold^r," Mr. Aspinall remarked that it was useless passin» resolutions they could not enforce A delegate It is ridiculous to try It was decided to make no recommendation on the question Mr. Liffiton moved —"That this conference urge tho Government to proclaim a closo sca>son in 1910—for all imported game other thaa deer—throughout the. whole Dominion, and for that ono season hares to be declared game in those districts where they are not game, or, in tho alternative— that the Government bo asked so, to do in any district in which tho local society mpy so recommend " The opinion was expressed that a closo season would not protect tho birds—poaching would go on just tho same The motion was lost Tho chairman explained that each society would havo to fnake its own arrangements Stoats and Woasels. Mr. Hanan moved —"That the Government bo requested to removo tho protection frtm stoats and weasels throughout tho Dominion " Tho mover characterised stoats and woasels as pests, and remarked that they hod not mate nalfy checked the increase of rabbits—the purpose for which tiny were introduced m tho 1 country \ ' ' Mr Pollard thought that the matter should be left in the hands of each society. They should bo,, careful how they approached tho Government m tho matter, as the position was 1 ontiroly different in different parts of tho I country. It was stated during tho discission by ono I of the speakers that he had seen a cross be tween a cat and a rabbit recently. Tho remit was earned, with the addition oi tho words, "in such districts tor portion as I the AccUmatisaion Socioty or" authority r con ; 1 trolling the same, may determine " I Mr. Merson moved That it 1 be made illegal to sell game w l nch has been taken or failed in the district of an acclimatisation society •which does not issue licenses to sell game The mover said his society was not issuing licenses, and yet men from other societies entered their district and sold such game Mr Reid pointed out that no society had any authority to issuo a ''cenjD for a man to go into anothoT dis met Tho remit was accoidingly withdrawn Mr Whitesido moved "That a socioty should not sell fishing licenses to bona fido resident , !' in > the district of another society unless the rovonuo derived from such sales is paid to the society controlling tho district wherein such licenße-holdor resides" Tho Canterbury Society, said Mr hold tho opinion strongly that a man must got his license in his, own district Mr. Shnry 'moved as an amendment, that if the holder of a hcenso uses it in another distrait, the leo shall at onco be romitted to the society whore the license is being used The amendment was not seconded. The motion was lost Importation of Owls. A lengthy discussion took place concerninc the small birtl nuisance The subject was brought up by the following remit from Haukos Baj "That this societj considers it to be extremely dangerous to introdiico the grey owl-at all events in the North Islandand desires the question to bo brought under P s i\' S! n o ßi. at ' the*next annual conference; And .Jnrtter^aiu;Sooie,ty:--tbiiite.-.fliat-iB-'fi l tnre > v '.l)e. fore,any;birds-,or:animals are-introduced into S&S on S& o & : iK affil ! ate ' d ' acclimatisation societies;'.should be consulted as. to the desirability,, or -otherwise, , of .the proposed .'import* 1 UOn6y fA. .; f "t p -. ..'■:'; , : ;■.;' . -. v. .' - ; . ;'A','.iieputatipn.: l "frdm"the- Fruit-growora' Conferpnee,, attended ' the; Acclimatisation Confcr- £ nce , * n rprence -to. this matter., Mr. W.,'A bmitn istated.that.it was.necessary to-introduce I- •« SK3.,ojh_vi\ Haw-keV.Bay for the -pro.' tection.of frmfcgrowors >.and others .from the small bird. nuisince. ..-.:.-■.«. • ' Mr.' \lzaid .said that small birds picked, the peach buds'.. They did not eat: the poaches' butpicked-atithem.: After this, the-'b.ew got in ■ JP« .rendered useless, Sometimes were: seea emerging, from. .-' Mr^Chiehohnfput"-ijj. a; plea/for-the litfie grey ows.:;He; quoted-his.experience to show their value.to tiefaimers. He hoped the con. lerence would recoinmenii the Government to introduce this bird,\which was a friend, of the farmers' and\the/'salyation. of the!frui>grower3 ' .."Mr. Hanan hoped "the Government would be approached-on the question. , Mr. Pollard considered that they: should be cautious before embarking in anything of-this sort, :'■•'. ;\ : "'.'.. ':•: ■•■■■.. : ..'v ,■.. , ...-..,;.•■.' portion;of .the remit-was, lost and tne. following motion' was adopted:—" That this conference recommends.tho Government , to assist as; far' as'-ipossible .overy effort made to impqrt .and establish "the ilittle German grey owl for thevprb'tection of the, fruit' industry, which, is.; threatened with- ruin by the plamia ,of small;'birds'," ~';•, ;.-.:■,,...(,■ \ ; ..-■ ; ' ;Gun Tax.—Automatic. .Guns, •-.;■.: '■ -".That -the adfiiableness, of providing for a gun tax; be. : considered," wjls moved by Mr. WHiteside. -The ■ mover, referred to the danger ;to public : generally ■ The matter hacl before .'every conference .and most '.at thV delegates' agreed that'there; was but small chance of 'its-eyer.becoming:-law!"The motion was lost.';.' ; y. v ,y; ■■:■!; ', • '■■.•: '-•'■'■?'■' >;,;■ '.'■'''■,-:..' .■■"■■' .Mr. Cliisholtn menred: "That a>heavy,license, feo.be imposed upon all those.using automatic •guns'ph'-garae."-. , ;.""'":': ' ■ .. ■ . - Mr. Devine: Why not go further. and prohibit the use,of .'automatic Ifpris? , ; " ■;, , , ■■'Mr. CKisholm accepted;this;su§gestion. ; ; • '••11*. Devine referred to;pictures m. illustrated papers of. bags - taken. - It was riot sport; he saidj'it ,was destructio'n. .Mr.-Pollard:,; We.,should go, a step further arid- 'limit' eporfamen ; to ■ one 'double-barrelled gun; , :'■''' ■.;■■'-.' ■;■".• ■' ■'■•'■■■■■ : : "■■;■ • ; With the addition of Mr. Pollard's'idea, tho motion was'carried.. .-,.:. . ... ' ; ..-: '• Mr. : Sh'uiy moved , :'" That the .regulations for 6! acclimatisation' societies under the, Anima'|s. P ; roteetion, Act,'. 1908,' bo 'diseussed, with' a "view to' their, modification." ■.The matter was referred', to,-the council',of tho .association., ■ ■-■■•'■■'';'■'■ ;:•-■•■■ : ' s ; •■■•'-■ V- , .•.■-■■•'■:.:. ■■.•• : Mr. Chisholm: moved:. . '.' That'- half-yearly fishing '■ licenses for men should be available for vthq' : whole of New: Zenland) in ' the same manner. ,, M licensee." The. 1 remit was wittidrawn.- ' , ... ~ .:" ' Mr.- Hanan mowd:"" That the Goveramient v be; urged to-cbntihue.the importatioii of Atlantic : salmon pVa' and , asked to put an amount on the-'Estimates this season, ;foi 'that purpose.", Mr. Pollard: I. bppo' to ' see- ;■ tho. day .when we'", will Have salmon ■ in" many of ; our rivers.. The motion was corried,'._'.. '-V.- , "',,■ ■~ The - conference , adjounveli un'til ! this'. rh'orning,, when arrSngements 'tHJI < b.e'.rnride vfor -'a deputation to waft on the; Idiiiisters idr-Maiuie'