ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 221, 12 June 1919, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

f MEETING OP COUNCIL. At a meeting of the council'of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last night a suggestion from Palmerston that an additional ranger should be appointed was considered. The chairman (Air. L. 0. H. Tripp) 6aid that the services of an extra ranger undoubtedly were required, but the amount of money at the disposal of the society was limited. Tho council realised that the present ranges was not pafd an adequate salary, and that he ought to be provided with a motor-cycle, or motor-car as a, means of moving about the country.

Members were agreed that the present ranger ought to bo better paid and that an additional rangei; was needed in both Jhe shooting season and the fishing season. But the annual cost of one ranger, nt present whs over ,£250 a year, including .£156 salary, and the society's surplus last year was only X2OO. After discussing the possibility of increasing the society's revenue, by raising fees or securing the assistance of well-to-do sportsmen, the council Uecided to increase the present ranger's salary by ,£SO a year at once, and referred the other points to the , executive. A suggestion from tho Pahiatua branch that the Makuri Stream should be reserved for artificial bait only was referred to the Fish Committee The North Canterbury Society wrote re. porting that Canadian geese, imported into the Dominion some years ago, had done well. There were now more than 200 in Canterbury. Some fresh blood was required, and it was suggested that Wellington' should co-operate in importing some more Canadian geese. The,experience gained eo far suggested that the bird could be established. The Canadian gooso bred readily in captivity. The council decided that it would cooperate to a limited extent. A report from the fishery officer at Masterton (Mr. Miller) stated that the collection of ova was proceeding satisfactorily. Ho had got a 28lb. eel in the fish traps. The council received the ranger s report and dealt with'other business.