SPORT IN WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 210, 31 May 1921, Page 5

SPORT IN WELLINGTON

FISHING AND SHOOTING ANNUAL MEETING OF ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY The annual general meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society was held last night in the Chamber of Commerce hall. Mr. E. J. C. Wiffin was in the chair. The chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which have already been summarised in ■The Dominion. He said that the past year had been a highly successful one for the society. The finances were now in a, thoroughly satisfactory position, in spite of increased costs and expenses. The chairman referred to the very excellent work done by tho curator of the fish hatchery at Masterton (Mr. J. G. Millor) and the ranger (Mr. P. W. Wilson). The past fishing season, he said, had been a particularly successful one. The policy of stocking the Hutt Kiver heavily had produced gratifying results, and the good fishing obtainable in that river had induced an increased number of anglers to take out licenses. There was evidence that the attempt to place rainbow trout in the Akatarawa had been successful, but a final judgment on this point should be postponed until, next year. He hoped the policy of stocking that river would be continued. He mentioned the appearance of rainbow trout in the Orongoronqo Biver, which had never been stocked, and suggested that the fish had come from the Wainui-o-mnta. Attempts to stock this river had failed, and there seemed to be no doubt that its waters were quite unsuitable for the fish. Referring to the shooting season, the chairman said that game was plentiful and good, sport was being,secured. Hares and ducks were plentiful and in good condition, and the number of licensee seemed likely to be a record. He protested against the opening of the shooting season on a Monday, when the proper date fell on Sunday. This was very annoying to shooters, and he was glad to hear that the provision wns being omitted from the amending Bill. The society had -secured only 100 pheasants during the season. He was satisfied that tho correct policy in dealing with the birds was to concentrate effort on particular points and stock heavily until results were secured. The birds would beat the vermin if the stocking was on a sufficiently large sca]e. As a matter of fact .pheasants were fairly plentiful in Wilton’s Bush, which was full of vermin. A hen with eight chicks had been seen there last breeding season. The chairman referred to the decisions of the annual conference, and emphasised the importance of increasing tho revenue of the society in order that more might be done to improve sport. He thought that half-season fishing licenses should be abolished, and would like to see license fees increased.

Mr. J. Holmes, who had recently he.en in England, said that inquiries he had made there supported his opinion that yearlings should be turned out instead of fry. Experts estimated that 99 per cent, of the fry became food for other fish and for eels, while 90 per cent, of the yearlings would survive. He was convinced that it was futile to put rainbow trout into streams that ran into the sea. The English’ authorities did not turn out fry, and they had carried the art of stocking to a very high point. Mr. L. G. "Reid thought that it would not be practicable to release yearlings on t a large scale, owing to the extra cost and the danger of disease. The old system had given good results. All the fishing rivers had been stocked with fry. Several members discussed this point, consensus of opinion being that the society could not undertake to raise yearlings owing to the cost. Mention was made of the ravages of seagulls among the young trout in the lower reaches of the rivers.

The chairman said the society did put out Tslinbow yearlings to some extent, but was not in a position to devote its attention to the yearlings.

The Taport and balance-sheet were adopted.

The following officers were elected:— Patron, the Governor-General; president, Mr. L. O. H. Tripp; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. H. Bcet.ham, A. J. Rutherford, G. L. Reid, Fi. Riddiford. and .A.. F. Lowe; members of the council, Messrs. S. G. Nathan, E. J. C. Wiffin, J. S. Fleming, L. Pbwell, J. F. Dyer, and J. Hol mes.

A motion recommending the incoming committee to hold four general meetings every year and to arrange for an annual smoke concert was carried.