FISH, FUR, & FEATHER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2532, 5 August 1915, Page 9

FISH, FUR, & FEATHER

ACCLIMATISATION MATTERS

DOMINION CONFERENCE

The annual conference of the New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies was held in the Accountants' Chambers yesterday. The president, Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp, occupied the chair. The following delegates were present:—Auckland, Lt.-L'ol. W. H. Hazard and C'apt. J. Elliot Canterbury, Mr. E. F. Stead and Mr. W. H. Tisdall; Grey, and district, Mr. A. J. Bufchorfurd; Hawke's Bay, Mr. F. Logan; Hobson, Mr. J. P. Dargaville; Mangonui and Whangaroa, Mr. J. Cullen; Marlborough, Mr. W. Pollard j Otago, Mr. G. W. M'lritosh; Opotiki, Capt. A. N. Whitney; South Canterbury and Hawke's Bay, Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp; Southland, Mr. VV. A. Stout; Stratford, Mr. W. P. Kirki\;ood; Tanranga and Coromandel, Mr. C. A. Whitney; Wainiarino, Mr. P. G. Smith; AVaitaki, Mr. J. Mitchell; Waimate, Mr. J. Anstey, M.P.; Wanganui, Mr. L. Allison; AVellington, Mr. L. H. B. Wilson- and Mr. J. F. Dyer.

In course of his opening address the president said that owing to the disruption occasioned by tho declaration of war there had been no conference hist year. He said at the outset that tho least they could do would' bo to offer to the Government the machinery of the societies for getting recruits. (Hear, hear.) They had the organisation, and could, he thought, do a deal of good in getting' Tecruits wiien they were wanted. Since , they bad last met New Zealand had been visited by Professor Prince, Canadian Commissioner of Fisheries. Professor Prince had expressed the opinion that the acclimatisation societies had done good work regarding the introduction of fish, and birds, but had come to the conclusion that they liad outlived tilteir utility, and tliat the Government should now take charge, and that a Government' Commissioner should be appointed with a board appointed by the societies,_ as an: advisory body.. Ho begged to differ from Professor Prince. The president dealt very fully-with Professor Prince's report, and pointed out that Government- control would stiflo voluntary work, and that it was better to leave things as they were.

Officers Elected, The ' following officers were elected:— President, Mr. L. 0. IT. Tripp; vicepresident, Mr.- C. A. Fitzroy (Hawke's Bay); council Lt.-Col. 'W. H. Hazard (Auckland), Dr. C. Morton Anderson (Canterbury), Mr. I\ J. Dargaville (Hobson), Mr. W. Pollard (Marlborough), Mr. G. W. M'lntosh (Otago), Mr. E. P. Stowe (South Canterbury), Mr. W. A. Stout (Southland), Mr. W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford), Mr: J. G. Wilson (Taranaki) Mr. H. Southey (Tauranga), Mi-. E. N. Liffilon (Wanganui), Mr. A. F. Lowo (Wellington) ; honorary treasurer, Mr. J. F. Dyeryauditor, Mr. G. B. Hill; secretary, Mr. C. I. Dasent.

Guns and Licenses. It was resolved: "Thatthe Animals Protection Act, 1908, be amended—(a) by providing for the issue of licenses to take or kill hares in any acclimatisation district at a fee to be fixed by regulation, (b) ■ By making it an offence for anyone other than tho owner, or his nominee, to carry firearms in any sanctuary, or to discharge a firearm into a sanctuary." "That a general local license bo issued at 20s. for shooting native and imported game, and that licenses for shooting native game only be issued at 10s. per annum. ; ' ■ '' ' "That legislation be introduced with a view to leaving the matter o£ an open or close season in any district in the hands of tho local society instead of being fixed by law as at present." "That this conference recommends the absolute prohibition of the use of autoloading guns for feathered imported and native game." "That the penalties for shooting game ouit of season should be- increased—the minimum to be not less than £5." "That the Government be requested to introduce legislation with reference to the indiscriminate nse of pea rifles, and that the use of silencers be absolutely prohibited."

Remits Adopted. The following remits were carried "That the Government be asked to pay a. royalty on all' 1 stoats and weasels destroyed in other than rabbit-infested districts." "That tags be issued for fallow deer as well as for red deer." , "That a season for paradise duck be opened in any district, or part of a district, if the society controlling the same prove that the ducks are doing damage.' "That clause 45, tub-clauses 2, 3, and 4, of the Animals' Protection Act be made applicable to the Fisheries Act." "That wild geese be removed from the third schedule of the Animals' Protection Act, and included in the second schedule of the same.-" . "That the protection on black and w"hite-throatcd shags of all species be absolutely removed." "That the holder of a shooting license in any society's district be entitled to have same endorsed by any other society on payment of a fee of ten shillings. "That the Governm nt be asked to provide adequate protection for game and native birds in all sanctuaries.' "That the different acclimatisation societies should do their best to encourage local bodies and settlers in their respective districts to plant shrubs and trees with the object of providing a food supply for our native birds." . ■ "That inquiries re the cost of importing 20 brace of rvper, 10 black cock, and 40 grey hen, and that inquiries be made from Australia, Egypt, and India as to getting snipe." '"That this conference requests all acclimatisation societies in New Zealand to take more active measures in the direction of destroying hawks and river-haunt-ing shags." . ' , , , "That the Government be asked to request the Australian authorities to frame 1 regulations'for the adequate protection of banded dotterel." : . "That the Animals Protection Act, Section 3, Clause 1, paragraph 2, bo amended to allow of any society making representation up' to April 1, to havo season restricted."

"That the conference submit a recommendation to the Government, to subsidise all societies whoso funds are not sufficient to cope with the necessity, of culling red and fallow deer herds to maintain a reputable standard and prevent over-stocking." "That the Government be requested to set up a commission consisting of— I The Director of Orchards, the Commissioner of Crown Lands .for the Wellington district, the president of the Associated Acclimatisation Societies,' the chairman for the time being of the Wellington Society fo* the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to inquiro and report to the Government: (1) In what parts of tlio Dominion where the opossum is not now protected it should be protected in the future; (2) if it is decided that the opossum shall bo protected in any district, during what months should killing be allowed; (3) under what circumstances should the killing of opossums be allowed and what regulations should be made with reference to the killing of opossums?; (4) generally to advise on any matters relating to the protection or killing of opossums which in the opinion of the Commission may bo necessary in the interests of tho Dominion. 1 ' "That the Government be asked to amend the Animals Protection Act, 190S, in regard to opossums, by introducing legislation prohibiting the sale of opossums' skins (of any variety) during a close season, and requiring dealers to produce evidence as to where, and from whom, any and all opossums' skins found in tlioir possession during closo 6eason, have been received." "That each society havo the right to determine tho kinds of gamo to be shot in its district, and to fix the season for same." , "That the position in respect to native nigeon shooting 111 parts of the Dominion is unsatisfactory, and that it be a recommendation to the. Government that "'"eons be placed 011 the same footing as other native game in those districts."

Fisheries Act Remits. Tlio following, remits under tho Fisheries Act were carried:— "That tho Government be urged to renew tho importation of Atlantic salmon ova, tho resultant fry,to bo liberated in Jia. yiaku.Bivqr, Southland, as former*.

ly; and tlint the Government be urged to import sea trout ova, with the object of establishing this fisli in the most suitable river or rivers in the Dominion." "That all fishing nets, other than landing or whitebait nets, require to be registered with the Collector of Customs, at an annual registration fee of one shilling." "That the conference support a recommendation to the Government emphasising the. urgent necessity to comply With t'ho applications from such societies as are affected to define limits within which netting in the mouths of rivers and estuaries may bo permitted." "That penalties for netting, dynamiting, liming, and any other means of wholesale destruction of trout should be increased, tho minimum to bo not less than ,£10." "That the Government be asked to fix a minimum fine of ,I\s for all convictions under the Fisheries Conservation Act." "That single river licenses shall not bo granted for boundary rivers." "That Section -13 of the Arirnals' Protection Act be made with the necessary alterations to apply to the Fisheries Act, I'JOS, tho object being to give the officers under that Act and authorise persons the same powers as an authorised person has under Section 43." "That steps should at once be taken by the Government to reduce the number of fish in Lake Taupo in consequence of the serious falling away in the condition of the fish. The steps to be urged on the Government to bo decided at the annual conference of delegates; also that tho Government bo requested to take steps at once to import from British Columbia fresh stock of rainbow trout for Te-stocking tho Kotorua' districts, and that the Government be urged to reduce and exterminate all slab, diseased, and unconditioned fish in all lakes in the Kotorua district, whew a very serious falling away in the condition of fish has been noted." "That tho Government be urged to allow rangers' motor cycles to be carried free on the railways, as is done at present with ordinary cycles." "That the regulations under the Fisherics' Conservation and Animals' Protec-. tion Acts be consolidated." I "That tlio Act be amended to provide that' non-residents of New Zealand 6hall pay the following sums for licenses, viz., £5 for fishing licenses, for game licenses, and .610 for deer stalking licenses; ladies, half price." "That a rumour having been circulated that the Government intends to recast the administration of acclimatisation matters by new legislation, this conference desires to plac© on record its emphatic opinion that the control of acclimatisation matters in the Dominion should remain in tho hands of voluntary societies, whose efforts liavo besn so successful in the past." Tho conferencc terminated at 5.15' p.m.

In various parts of India otters are used by the natives to catch fish for them. So rapid is the speed of the otters under water that no fish can escape them. When not working, the otters are tied to stakes like chained dogs. . 1 :