Westland Acclimatisation Society.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1921, Page 4

Westland Acclimatisation Society.

MONDAY, JUNE 27tli. A meeting of tho Council ol the above was held at the County Chambers at 7.30 o’clock. Present:—Messrs D. ,J. Evans (vice-President), J. King (bun. sec.) A. B. Boyd, J. Slavas, T. W. Bruce, J. Rooney, J. J. Mclntosh, A. B. King. Apologies for absence were reccnved from Messrs E. J. Lloyd and W. Braddon. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and out correspondence was approved. INWARD, CORRESPONDENCE. Prom Chief Postmaster notifying six licenses had been issued for the taking of opossums.—Received. From Internal Affairs Department stilting opossums were not to be liberated in other parts of the Dominion without the consent of the Department; also that W. Carter, custodian at Tloki- , tika. had been appointed collector of royalty and stamper of opossums skins for Westland.—Received. It was explained opossum skins could be sold now only by public auction after being officially stamped. Any other means adopted were illegal and involved heavy penalties. From Treasury forwarding £27/1 o'for deer shooting licenses, fees and fines. — Received.

From drey District Society asking 100.000 ova be hatched out at Lake Kaniori on the same terms as last season. Received and agreed to. Ihe ova is being sent from North Canterbury Society in 100,000 lots. It was reported last season's hatching was very successful in every way.

From Cook and Sons, Tourist Agents, Auckland, reporting a very line enlioge. ment -of a Lake Kanieri scene was on view in Auckland and if the Society would purchase same, the firm world have the picture framed and exhibited in their public office ‘ for advertising purposes. Received and agreed to. From Department of Internal Affairs acknowledging receipt of annual statement of accounts.—Received. From L. F. Ayson, Inspector of Fisheries, enquiring in respect to spawning salmon in Hokitika river, and stating 2.-0,000 salmon ova were being sent to Lake Kanieri hatchery. Received: and left to Secretary to arrange for matching. From Westport Society applying for .30.000 trout ova.— Received; and regret expressed same could not be supplied this season owing to floods coming at inopportune times. From Rex Dunning, Makaro, Toswill and, Coy., Christchurch, and others enquiring for deer stalking rights next season. —Received ; it wa* said the areas could not be allocated till the Ranger’s report was to hand. Tt was reported, also, that one of the finest beads secured in New Zealand, had been taken last season in the Ranst district by a North Island stalker. THE CARETAKER. The Caretaker reported four and a half pints of Salmon eggs had been secured at Lake Kanieri and that the launch receipts for the month had been B2 10s.—Received; Accounts to the amount of £6 Bs. were passed for payment. S. W. Ridlands tendered his resignation as caretaker, having secured another position in Hokitika, and asked to be relieved of his duties at the end of .1 idy The resignation was received will, regret and Mr Ridland’s faithful services to the district eulogised. It was resolved to vote him a bonus of seven guineas as a mark of appreeia-

tin*. The following applications for the position of caretaker were received : .1. T. Timpson, Hau Hau; W. S. Ithdl. Kumara; J. J.- Rooney, Kanicri; G. Harcourt-, Woodstock; 11. A. Green, Greymouth; E> C. Mackenzie, Greymonth.

It was resolved to reduce the names bv ballot to three. This resulted in Mackenzie, Green and Rooney being retained. Reducing to two, the names left in were Mackenzie and Rooney. The final ballot resulted: Mackenzie 5; Rooney 2. (Mr Rooney who laid been present, retired from the meeting previous to the voting taking place.) Mr Mackenzie (who was with the Gordon Highlanders at Mens, and who has a knowledge of motor machinery use*fill ill running the launch on Lake Kanieri) was then appointed earetaker to take up his duties on Ist July, which will permit of a month’s training under the retiring caretaker in hatching work. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting was then held, the same members being present. The annual balance sheet as published and statement of assets and liabilities (as before the meeting) were adopted Air Evans was elected President, and Mr J. King, lion, secretary. The Council was re-elected. It was resolved to fix the annual subscription of member at one guinea. the fee to include a fishing license. Tin' meeting concluded at D p.m.