ACCLIMATISATION

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 40, 10 November 1921, Page 5

ACCLIMATISATION

INCIDENTAL COST OF LICENSES

The monthly meeting of tho Acclimatisation Society was held last night. Mr. E. J. C. Wiffen presided in the absence of the chairman (Mr. L. O. H. Tripp). The Department c! Internal Affairs notified that the fee of 6d. per license recoup the Post and Telegraph Department for the expense incurred in issuing game and deer licenses, was consideied insufficient, and that it had been decided to increase the charge to one shilling. It had been decided to charge an additional Is. Gd. to reimburse the Department for the cost of clerical work incidental to the game season and printing the licenses. The charge of 2s. Gd. in respect of* each license would take effect in respect of next year’s game shooting season. , The chairman said that the new charges would seriously affect the society s revenue. , . ... On the suggestion of the secretary (Nr. Dasent) the matter was referred to the Game Committee, it being considered that the present was an inopportune tune, to express an opinion to the Government in view of legislation that was being framed, , , . The Department of, Internal Affairs inquired as to the number of opossums the council desired, to liberate on the Huarang! Reserve, and this also was referred to the Game Committee. A circular on the subject or the regu lation respecting the killing o>. pP°ssums, and the disposal of skins, stated that the regulations had been found difficult to administer without causing hardship to some persons com erred. It was considered advisable ti have specific regulations for each district, fixing the open season and other dnuiils, subject to now regulations. Tho Department enclosed a draft of the regulations which was referred to the Game Committee for consideration. The Masterton sub-Acclimatisation society wrote urging that all Government land on the Tararua ranges should bo put under tho same regulations as Manajiouri and Waikaremoana for the protection of deer, viz., that rangers be empowered to apprehend anyone caught carrying firearms of any description within tho prescribed l area, whether in possession of game or not,_ unless he is carrying a license issued in that area. Consideration of this was held over for the present. . It was reported that a party of six men carrying rifles had been seen and accosted. They said they were after pigs, but subsequently the bodies of some deer were found. In commenting on the case one member stated that under new legislation no trespassing, with or without arms, would be allowed on certain of those forest reserves, and in others a license as well as a permit would have to be produced. Tho matter is to bo left in abeyance pending Farliament’s consideration of the neiv Forestiy Bill.