ACCLIMATISATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 31 May 1912, Page 5

ACCLIMATISATION.

* : SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING. FAU.NA AND PESTS. The annual meeting of tho Wellington Acclimatisation Society was hold iast nig'ut. Mr. L. O. 11. Tripp, chairman of Hie council, presided. There wns only a small attendance of members. i Annua! Report. In its annual report the council stated that the financial position continued to improve. Tho total receipts for the past year were:—lialanoo (o credit brought forward on April 11)11, ,£-,K 4s. 10d.; receipts from all other sources. ilSla os. !id., making a total of ,£IBO7 as. 3d. The payments were Gs., leaving a credit balance at bank on March 31, 1012, of „l'3U 1!R 3d. The liabilities on March 31, IDI2, amounted to ,£212 Ms. 2d., and the cash assets to ,£212 Bs. 3d., leaving an excess of cash assets over liabilities of ,£29 Ms. Id., which, added to the cash in bank, ,£3il 19s. 3d., makes n net surplus of cash earnings for the year /J37't 13s. Id. There aro other assets not included under the heading of cash assels, but which havo been acquired during the year just passed, viz., land at Masterton, purchased, J535; deer bred at Deer Park and still on hand (8), i£r>3; birds unsold. .El 2 10s., making a total of JEIO3 Ids. Tiie excess of assets over liabilities amounts to X'liOt 3s. .Id. The statement of accounts for tho Game Farm and Deer Pari: shows receipts from all sources .£230 Js. 9d„ and payments JJ2G-1 os. Id. Tho sum of .£"3 15s. 7d, was expended from the general account in excess of receipts, and a further sum of ,£■l 10s. is owrrig to sundry creditors, but against this liability of .£3B ss. <d. there .•ire sums duo by sundry debtors amounting to JJI2G os. od., leaving a credit balance on the year's working of ,CS7 l!is. 2d. There aro also assets at Game Farm and Deer Park (already enumerated) in the shape of buildings, deer, birds, plant, and sundries, valued at ,£o2i) 10s. One of the most notable events of the year just past lias been the sale of the site of the society's fish ponds at Masterton. Most suitable springs have been located on property belonging to the Master-ton Town Lands Trust, in close proximity to the present site, and successful negotiations have been concluded with the trustees for the lease of 9} acres tor twenh'-one years, at a rental of JB2O per annum. Tho rates will amount at present to about .£') per annum. The work at fhe iish ponds, under the .curator (Mr. J. CI. MilleiO has followed its usual course, 100,000 brown trout and 205,000 rainbow ova were received from Hakataramea and Tarawera respectively this vear, successfully hatched out and 'distributed throughout the society's district'. , , The fishing season was disappointing, cold, wet weather prevailing during tlifl earlier part, and a consequent falling off in licenses resulted. It is satisfactory that the fish taken were ail in healthy condition. No disease of any kind has been reported. A General Review. The chairman, moving the adoption of the report, said that: it was on the whole satisfactory. The finances of the society were in a. better condition than they had been for many years, but during the current year there would be a heavy expenditure for new hatcheries, and a caretaker's residence on the new sito at Masterton. It was hoped, however, that all this would be financed out of the year's revenue, and that next year tho council would be able to announce having made arrangements for the appointment of a sufficient staff of rangers to cover the whole district satisfactorily. He hoped that the society would be able next year to imnort some Black Game. These were hardy birds, and they would be much more likely to survive against the stoats and weasels and other pests than pheasants. In reference to lied Deer, he said that in some of the herds I hern were far too many hinds. The food supply was being unduly taxed, and many of tho heads shot had been poor or deformed. If the hinds were shot out by reliable men, as the society proposed should bo done, the heads would be much improved in a few veavs. Tie referred, in conclusion. to the loss tho society had sustained in the death of Mr. Hugh Folien, secreiarv of the Department. A Naturalist's Views. E. C. Bruce seconded the motion. Ho deprecated the introduction of that fierce tittle bird, the grey owl, which would yet work great havoc among feathered game. He thought also the stoats and weasels -problem had never been investigated thoroughly. He had heard from iho South Island that these animals wcro changing their tastes and habits. On tho West Coast of the South Island tho weasels followed I he wild duck on to its nest, and climbed the tallest frees to kill pigeons. 11l that area they were likely to exterminate the feathered game, but in the Rangitikei, where there had been weasels for 25 years, it wa> mo-t uncommon ■to find a "leathered beast" molested. Tho weasels and stoats were really a beneficent agency in that they destroyed rats in numbers. On the other hand the weasels mighty change their habits and become a real menace there. He thought nil naturalist? owed a debt of gratitude to the present Prime Minister (Mr. T. Mackenzie) for his efforts to preserve our flora and fauna. Mr. tV. AVakeman reported having been out deer-stalking in the country behind likeiahuna, and having ob.-erved that bird life in all that area was very plentiful- tuis, kakas, . bell birds, niopokes, robins, ;mrl fantails. However, same vandals bad. been burning bush on (ho higher slopes, and unless the society look action to prevent this, there would be >orious losses of tlera. and possibly of fauna nisi, lie suggested that the society Miould seek the co-operation of 'iho police in these districts lo prevent furl her de-va-latkm. Election of Officers, The election of officers rc.-ulled as follows:— President, bis Kxcellency the Governor; vice-presidents, Mes>rs. \\. 11. I'eetham, 1!. i'. ilruce. A. .i. riutherford, and L. C. Keid; council, Me.-srs. \V. Barlon. \Y. ,1. Birch, A. T. Lowe. i). M'(lregor. 11. 11. Ostler, P. lioe. A. ,i. Sladden, T. fl. Stoekwell, ('. 11. Triiunoll, L. O. It. Tripp, I'. <'. Tumor, !•'. <1. Wakelin. \V. Wakeman. T. Whillev. L. 11. li. Wilson. Dr. Tiirnbnll. anil ..Major J. 11 unio; auditor, Mr, t'i. li. Hull. Al a '--übsequen! merlin,-; til' the council, Mr. L. <). 11. 'I'lipp «a- ir-eleeled chairman, Mr. 11. 51, Ostler honorary li'.-isurer, and Ml. A. I-'. Lowe lioniH.uy ssi'ii-taiy.