ACCLIMATISATION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION

WELLINGTON SOCIETY’S ANNUAL REVIEW

A CAPITAL SEASON ALL ROUND The annual meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society is to be held in the Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening. According to the annual statement, the receipts for the year amounted to £1938 125., and the payments to £lB6l 2s. 2d., leaving a credit of £77 9s. lod. The accumulated fund now stands at £1978 Is. Id., a decrease of <£s7 9s. Licenses brought in the following amounts: —Fishing, £827 4 J . 6d.; game £223 Ils., and deer £299 195., a total of £1459 14s. fid. Under the heading "Revenue,” the figures in the case of fishing licenses are increased to £1072 45., and deer to £357 4s. 6d., making the total revenue from licenses £1653 Ils., an increase of £216 16s. 2d. over the amount secured in the year 1919-20. Game Farm and Deer Far*. No pheasants (says the report) were reared during the past year; but the efforts of the council to procure birds were successful in a limited degree. The birds presented by Mr. S. G. Nathan were liberated on Somes Island and at Levin, 200 pheasants were ordered from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society and 100 from Mr. J. Dobson, of Aratapu, Northern Wairda, subject to approval by the society’s ranger (Mr. P. Willson), delivery to be made in March. Mr. Willson wont north to bring down the birds; but on visiting the game farm at Cambridge found the lot so backward in condition that he did not feel justified in accepting delivery, and cancelled the order. From Aratapu 100 strong healthy birds were obtained and 99 were conveyed safely to their destination. The total cost at 2-ls. Gd. per bird was £122 19s.

For the year 1921-22 the council has authorised its Game Committee to purchase 200 pheasants, GO per cent, cock birds, and 40 per cent, hens, 4 to 5 months’ old; delivery in March, 1922— from Mr. James Dobson, of Aratapu; if price and conditions can be arranged. The two stags and two hinds which were expected to bo consigned from Mr. Lucas, of Warnham Court. England, in October last, escaped from the enclosure in which they were being kept for shipment. and will not now be shipped until F"’-! amber of this year. Fishing Season. The fishing season just ended has been, for 'both the society and for anglers, a most satisfactory one. The waters round Wellington, notably the Hutt River and its tributaries, have furnished splendid sport. The heaviest fish known to have been taken from the Hutt River turned the scale at 1511 b., and was secured with a bully near Gear Island; one 141 b., one 1311 b., and two 121 b. come next. An angler took from the upper reaches 12 fish, six over 31b. —best Gib. Two fine fish. 811 b. and Glib., were landed near Silverstream (minnow); one 711). near bridge (fly). One regular fisherman took out over 300 fish between October ana January, a good average size being maintained. Another regular secured 257 between November and February. 53 fish weighing 741 b. were taken in November from Wainui (fly). Some good baskets were obtained from the M aiwetu, a 141 b. and a 91 lb. fish being the best (fly). At Mowhanga a Taihape fisherman took four rainbows weighing Wily.—best fish 12J1b.; average 101 b. As this river has only carried rainbow for eight years this record will take some beating. A Rangatoto fly was used. The Mannwittu provided some surprises—seven brown weighing 141 b. (minnow) and nine brown weighing 28!P. (minnow). The Waipoua and Ruamahunga Rivers were in good condition, and a veteran obtained several first-rate takes (fly). The Maknkahi fished better than during former seasons —a nice basket of eight; average 2lb. —best 3Jlb. — was taken in November (purple March brown). The Ohan gave fine sport until the drought caused some miles of the river to dry out. The Otaki fished well, and this river will repay inlense stocking. The Wa.ikanae upheld its reputation as a champion fly stream. Quite a number of limits were obtained from if, and anglers derived much pleasure from this favourite water. The Hautapu, Kawhatau, and Mangaone provided solid fishing—the former especially. The Rangitikei was disappointing, and advices from the local branch state that fish were hard to find. Large numbers of rainbow fry are liberated in this river yearly and for long years. The result another illustration of a theory which cannot be put on one side lightly, viz... that rainbows will not acclimatise well in waters running directly to the open sea. From the financial point of view, the results of the season were satisfactory, with a margin for congratulations. Over 1378 licenses were issued fair a net return of £1072 16s. —a record for the society. Red Deer-Stalking Season.

The Easter holidays falling on March 25, ihe council followed its usual practice and opened the stalking season on March 24, in order- that stalkers might get the full benefit of the holiday season. The date was, however, raihrr early for stalking, as the stags in the tVairarapa area did not begin to roar until a fortnight later. In the I’araparaumu, Kawhntau, Rualiine, and Wainui roa.’-ing commenced slightly earlier; but, nothing daunted, more than the usual number of sportsmen took to the ranges and remained there until some kind of a. stag had been sighted and stalked. Licenses issued prior to March 31 numbered 95, and as this report closes 138 have been issued. The season closes on May 31. nnd a new record is in sight for this society. No returns have been received from Ruahino, T’ongaroa, Wainui. nnd Shannon. but the table gives 65 hands. No doubt many more have Iwcn taken, but have not yet been registered by taxidermists. Opossums. A short amending Act gives power to the Governor-in-Council to make regulations covering the taking of opossums in the Dominion. A short season, JiuN> 1 to Juno 30, noth days included, has been authorised for such districts as desire one. 'Hie regulations provide for the issue of a license to take a loyalty per skin, registration of skins, sale through apixiinted brokers, etc., and will lie gazetted a« early as possible. tn many parts of the society’s area opossums are numerous, and from the applications for copies of the regulations it is expected that the otxissum trappers w'll be numerous also. The rangers intend to proceed against any pea-son attempting to trap before June 1 nr after .lune 30 Probably next year the season may be extended: but: it is the opinion of many expert trappers that the. season during which the animal wears its full winter fur is from, say. June 21 to July 31.