ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 87, 22 April 1901, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the East Coast Acclimatisation Society took place at the Masonic Hotel on Saturday afternoon, the President (Mr H. J. Finn) being in the chair. There were also present Messrs Martin Smith, Price, Hansen, Watson, Redstone, Hellier Evans, Kenway, Grant, A.cland Hood, Dixon, W. W. Smith, Stopford (Secretary), Chambers, J. Arnaboldi, and Smith. The report, as follows, was read by the Secretary : Gentlemen, —I have tho honor to report that 100 licenses wero taken out during the past shooting season, but there is no doubt that many unlicensed person have been shooting. A reward of £5 was offered for information which would lead to a conviction of such offenders, but without result, and the same amount is again offered for the coming season. Trout : Five hundred trout were procured in July from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, which were entrusted to Mr Hansen, of the Motu, and ho reports to me that they were hatched out very successfully, and that the fry turned out were a heaithy, strong lot. Catfish: One hundred and fifty American catfish were procured from Mr Johnson, of Opawa, and wore turned out, or what remained of them alive on arrival, by Mr Dewing in the dam at the Taruheru Freezing Works. The mortality amongst them was caused by an error on the part of Mr Johnson, who addressed the ease containing them to Napier instead of Gisborne, and the consequent delay killed half. Shooting Season; The Government have this yearfixed by Act of Parliament the datos for the shooting season, which opens on the Ist of May, for both native and imported game, and closes on the 31st July. This year is also a close season for pigeons, pukeko, and kaka. Quail: At a meeting of the Society held on the 16th March last 1 was instructed to obtain information as to where trout and Virginian quail could be procured, and the result of such inquiries I beg to lay before this meeting. The rangers appointed last season were Messrs J. Price, W. G. Watson, Finley Ferguson, F. Bousfield, O. Hansen, F. Pond, and 11. Williams. The balance-sheet for the year ending March 31st duly audited will be laid before you. There is now to the credit of the Society in the Union Bank of Australia £B6 0s 7d. It will be the duty of this meeting to elect a Council and office-holders for the ensuing year.” The President said that it would be for the members to say whether or not the report and balance-sheet were satisfactory. The Secretary and himself had had a good deal of trouble at the beginning of the year, but it had been a pleasure to them to do anything in the interests of the Society. Any suggestions made would receive the attention of the incoming Council. He proposed that the report and balance-sheet be adopted. Mr Grant: Has Johnston been paid for the fish ?

The President: Yes ; there was a good deal of correspondence on the subject, and lie threatened to sue —it was thought better to pay the amount and have done with it. The correspondence on the sub« ject would be read. The Secretary was about to read the correspondence, but members said they did not wish to hear it, as they were quite satisfied that the Council had acted rightly, Mr Dewing remarking : It is paid and done with, and we do not wish to hoar the correspondence.

In reply to Mr Kenway, the President said that after paying accounts there would be a credit balance of £73 10s Id; at present there was a credit of £B6 Os 7d in the bank. They had been saving up so as to have sufficient funds to get deer or trout,-or whatever was decided upon. Mr Dixon seconded the motion to adopt the report and balance-sheet, which was duly carried.

A communication was received from tho Government stating tnat a charge of sixpence would be made on all licenses issued. The President said it would mean an expense of from £2 to £3 per year. Correspondence was read and a good deal of discussion took place as to the importation of birds, fish, or deer, and it was eventually decided that £4O be spent on importing live trout and £4O on quad. In regard to the election of officers, the members would not hear of Mr Finn’s retiring from Jhe Presidency, and he was again elected with warm applause. Mr Dewing was elected vice-President, and the following Council was elected :—K. Sherratt, P. Kenway, G. Grant, W. A. Hood, Martin Smith, H. G. Price, Bedstone, C. H. Dixon, 0, Hansen and J. Clark. Mr Stopford was re-elected Secre-

tary. Votes of thanks were accorded the President and Secretary for their services during the past year,