ACCLIMATISATION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 6 December 1927, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION

HAWKE’S BAY SOCIETY USUAL MONTHLY MEETING. LIBERATION OP PERCH. The usual monthly meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Acclimatisation Society was held last night. Present: Messrs J. H. Edmundson (chairman), I. Logan, A. E. Williams, T. Parker, T. Laing, T. Pickett, A. E. O’Meara, J. N. Lowry, A. Ellis and Dr. Fitzgerald. It was decided to recommend that the conditions governing deer stalking be the same as last year. The East Coast Society wrote supporting the society in its resolution to the Minister of Internal Affairs urging that hares should be protected during the shooting season.—ln view of the decision come to at last meeting regarding the matter the letter was deferred for six months. In regard toytho proposal to liberate perch in sdtae of the local rivers in slack water, the Canterbury Society wrote advising that it'was not considered that it would be in the best interests of trout fishing, as they attacked the young fry. Mr Laing stated that he would like to see perch put into tho Tangoio lagoon. Mr Williams agreed that successful fishing of perch couid be had once they wore liberated in any of tho lakes. Mr A. E. O'Meara agreed that perch would not do any harm. The chairman thought*, that a number of perch could be procured from an old resident near Hastings who had done much in the past in tho interest of acclimatisation in Hawke's Bay. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman to ascertain what perch might be obtained for liberation. FEILDING’S THANKS. The Feilding Acclimatisation Society wrote thanking the society for the fine order in vt-hich the fry were delivered from the hatcheries at Dannevirke. The fish which were very lively, reflected great credit upon the curator, whose courtesy in advising them as to management of ponds had been responsible for the fry doing so well. It was decided to forward a copy of tho letter on to the curator.

AN OPEN SEASON. In connection with the 1928 game season the Department of Internal Affairs wrote asking if it was intended that it should be a close season over the- society’s whole district, or over portion of it. It was recommended that in the case of an open season tho number of grey duck should be limited to 10 birds. Mr Pickett pointed out that the season for godwits in 1928 from January 1 to February 28 was a closed season. The secretary pointed out that such protection was embodied on the licenses.

It was decided that the 1928 game season should be an open season to open on May Ist and close on June 30. THE PUKEKO. In connection with pukeko the secretary said that a number of complaints had been received in regard to these birds and it was considered that it should be an open season. Mr Laing said that they were getting far too plentiful, being very destructive. Mr Pickett: They are getting very plentiful and I think that there should bo an open season for at least one week. Dr. Fitzgerald: I think it would bo simply vandalism to open the season for pukeko. Mr Logan: It is not sport at all shooting pukeko. On the motion of Mr T. Pickett it was decided that the season for pukeko remain closed. PARADISE DUCK. Mr Pickett then suggested that lhe season for paradise ducks should be open for at least a day as they were rapidly increasing. Mr Williams: I am strongly opposed to there being an open season for five minutes for these ducks. They would be all wiped out in a day. Mr Ellis: I agree that it would be murder to have on open season. ■ The matter was not pressed further. It was agreed to limit tho bag of grey duck and swan to 20. After further discussing the godwits it was agreed, on Mr Pickett’s suggestion, that in 1929 season for this game 'should be au open one.