ODDS AND ENDS

Evening Star, Issue 23381, 26 September 1939, Page 12

ODDS AND ENDS

acclimatisation society MEETS WIDE FIELD FOR DISCUSSION No one entering by chance the rooms where the Acclimatisation Society met last night could have guessed his whereabouts by anything other than the decorations on the walls. Certainly the conversation would have been no help to him, foy subjects discussed ranged from lawn mowers to muhlenbeckia on the Bullock Track. Held as it is in the solemn and somnolent atmosphere bestowed by the presence of antlered deer heads, stuffed fish and birds, and other emblems of departed life, the Acclimatisation Society’s Council meeting is usually protracted, to say the least. Tiny incidents seem to gain weight in such surroundings, and even the quality of the handwriting of correspondents is apt to receive its duo meed of comment. However, few evenings see the conversation ambling in so many directions as it did last night. After two hours the correspondence was only half completed, and quite a comprehensive list of business remained. “ I’d like to know what we are discussing,” was one interjection, answered by another, “ I’d like to know what the reporters are making of it.” Little business remained, but ardour was undiminished when the ‘ Star ’ representative left in time to catch the last tram, taking the word of the secretary that there was nothing further of importance. A good quota of members attended, Mr W. G. Reid being in the chair. Members paid a tribute to the memory of the late Mr C. P. M. Butterworth, who died in the early part of the month. The President spoke on the work Mr Butterworth had done for the society during his long association with it. ... Letters rvere received from various acclimatisation societies and other organisations expressing the opinion that such organisations should carry on the work they were doing at present. The question of arranging boundaries with the Lakps Society was left in the hands of Mr H. G. Williams and Mr S. F. Aburn. REPORTS. Mr G. E. Turner moved the adoption of the Game Committee’s report and that of the Pheasant Committee, and the motions were carried. ANGLING COMMITTEE. Amongst the correspondence received by the Angling Committee was a letter from the Geelong Acclimatisation Society, saying that the first lob of eyed ova ’sent was the best that they had received. The Secretary of the Ballarat Acclimatisation Society wrote saying that the eyed ova arrived in excellent condition, and asking if they could be supplied annually with half a million.—lt was decided to answer that regular supplies could not be .guaranteed. Mrs Hayes, Dunedin, asked that extra ladders be put in the lower part of the Leith to allow anglers to get more fishing.—Mr J. M‘G. Wilkie was deputed to see the city engineer. G. C. Burgess, Pembroke, advised that he was agreeable to act as parttime ranger, but that ho might be unable to get petrol.—lt was agreed that he be appointed, and the secretary w'as asked to see the chief postmaster about securing petrol for part-time rangers. The adoption of the Finance Committee’s report was moved by Mr S. F. Aburn. RANGER’S REPORT. Some indication of the prospects for the forthcoming season, which opens on October 1. was'afforded by the report of the ranger, Mr D. Macleod. The Deep Stream and Lee Stream are both fairly high, with snow on the feeding watersheds, hut may fish fairly well provided there is no more rain. The Waipory is high and discoloured. , The Tokomairlro is clear ns to the north branch, hut the south is discoloured, as is the Waitahuna from a mile above the township to its junction with the Clutha. . The Puerua is in good order, and should fish well down to Otanomomo. Both the Owrika and Gatlins Rivers are always good for the opening, and this year should prove no exception. With these may be grouped the MacLennan, the Tahakopa. the Fleming, the Tauhiku, and the Waipahi Stream. The Waikawa. the Waimahaka, the Mimihau, and the Wyndham are high, hut (promising. The Waikaia, the Leithen. and the Pomahaka are high and discoloured, and will be no good for the opening. In better order are the Waikaka, Waipabi, Otareia, Kuriwau, Waiwera, Kaihiku. OTAGO CENTRAL. Ranger Duthie reports on the Otago Central rivers that the Makarora, Timaru Creek, and Lindis are high and discoloured, hut the latter should be fishable by October 1. The Fraser is high, but should he clown in a week, and the Manuherikia is high and discoloured. The Clutha is,up to its usual summer level, but from the Lindis down is still discoloured. The Taiori is in flood, and still rising. The Poolburn and Manorbnrn Dams should fish ■well. The Conroy is full, but the Butcher Gully Dam -was not full about a week ago,'but should he in good order. The same thing applies to the Lower Manorburn.