ACCLIMATISATION COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 946, 20 July 1903, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION COUNCIL.

By Telegraph—Pross Association. Wellington, last night,

The Council of the New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies mot here yesterday. It was decided to write to the Colonial Secretary, asking that acclimatisation societies should be permitted to destroy stoats and weasels when they sorve no useful purpose. A long discusssion took placo'in rogard to poaching, and it was resolved that the Council should approach the Government with the request that police officers be instructed to assist in suppression of the evil. Certain suggestions for tbe amendment of the Animals Protection Act and Fisheries Conservation Act will also be placed before the Government. The following recommendations of the Committee were agreed to (1) That there be a uniform shooting season throughout the colony, and a shooting license fee, and that societies shall have power to endorse licenses issued by other societies ; (2) that the godwit season in Auckland be altered to December, January, and February ; (3) That it be made compulsory to take out licenses for shooting native game; (4) that it be necessary; for coursing clubs to take licenses of not less than £5 in the distriets where hares are not vermin ; (5) that regulations be framed providing for the registration of societies and definition of boundaries ; (6) that any person shall have the privilege ,to transfer his right to shoot on his own land without license to any one person,'for -the whole season; (7) that a uniform fishing license fee be arranged throughout the colony without provision as to endorsement, as for men, os for ladies and boys, and that it be optional for a society to issue half a season, single, river, or special day licenses; (8) that the keeping of trout in a frozen state for more than seven days after the close of the fishing season be prohibited. Mr Russell, an Invercargill delegate, speaking to the latter recommendation, said that hundredweights if not tons of frozen trout wore sent away from his distriot after being netted.