Wellington Acclimatisation Society.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 283, 3 June 1897, Page 2

Wellington Acclimatisation Society.

A meeting of those interested in acclimatisation in this district was held in Mr Bray's office last evening. Present — Messrs W. A. Sandilands (in tbe chair), J. J. Bagnall, W. G. Haybittle. H. L, Sberwill, N. Gorton, A. K. Curtis, T. A. Bryce and Dr Johnston. The meeting was called for the purposo of meeting Messrs Reid aud Tono, of Wellington, and to discuss matters concern ing the welfare of acclimatisation. Mr Kcid, who is treasurer of tbe Wellington Society, explained at length tbo objects of tbe society, and stated that they desired to establish local committees from Palmerston to Hunterville as the society was getting so large that it was impossible to carry on the work without assistance. In Pabiatua there was a committee which was doing good work. Such local committee must consist of not less than four or more than seveu members, who could deal with all matters of local concern and their general expenses would be paid by the Council. Such committees were allowed from ono third to one-half the revenue derived from the district, while they would be supplied free of cost with fish and birds from time to time. They looked on local committeeg as a part of themstlyes, doing the work of the head society. Mr Bagnall pointed out the wonderful increase in fish in the Manawatu aud in the upper reaches of the Oroua, but in tbe lower reaches of the latter they were fewer thau four yeais ago. It was almost useless tnrniug fish into the lower reaches of the Oroua as the beds changed bo ofti v. Tho Kiwitea was a quod stream in the upper roaches. The other branch of acclimatisation was more diffi cult to deal with as land owners took no interest in t'ne protection of game, while vermin such as the weka, kawks, wild cats and weasels were responsible lor tbe destruction of game. Tboy wanted a ranger to destroy these vermia, and also to stop poaching. He asked the head branch to be liberal for tho firrtt year or two to enable them to place the matters on a satisfactory footing. He suggested that arrraugenients might bo made with land owners to allow the use of their property to tho extent of say 3000 acres wbere they could destroy the vermin and breed birds. Mr Held poiutcd out they were takiug steps to have stoats and ferrets killed ami with that olijVcfc they bad interviewed tho Minister of Lands to request that permission be granted to kill snch vermin iv districts not infested with rabbits and there was a probability of this being dealt with. The Society were offering sixpence a pair for hawk's feet aud Is for shags. He wouid recommend that onu Imlf the revenue from this dis» trict be allowed tho local committee, and £50 for this year. Mr Sherwill bad done good work in this district already. They bad instructed Mr Scddon to pro euro some red deer while nt Home, and bad, also, given an order to get some birds from America. They wero likely to send another order Home in a short time. They wore trying to get the sea son fir imported aud naive name opeued on the same day aud it was likely tbe day would bo fixed by Act next session. They wanted to get native game protected anil to prohibit shooting without a license. Hares were game iv this district and persons shooting without a lic«'Gse could bo prosecuted. Mr Tone also addressed tho meeting. Mr Haybittle paid the Society would have to give more encouragement than in the past or not much good would result from a local committee. Mr Reid said the object of their visit wns to place matters on a more satisfactory fooling. Dr Johnston thought they were entitled to more consideration than in the past and that some deer should be placed on the Ruahine ranges. Mr Tone said it cost from i'o to i.lO to catch deer, but that as soon as they could get any they would be sent to the Ruahine ranges. It was reselvod on the motion of Mr Bagnall, and seconded by Mr Sherwill, That a local branch of the Society be formed on lines laid down in the circular and that the chairman call a meeting for that purpose in about a weeks' tune. A vote of thsnki to the delegates from Wellington and to the chairman closed the meeting.