WESTLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1927, Page 1

WESTLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Westland Acclimatisation Society was held at the County Chambers at 7 o’clock. Present—Mr G. A. Perry (President), Dr Teichelmaiin, Messrs W. Braddon, J. J. Mclntosh, R. Appleton, R. Paterson, A. Nancekivell, R. Stuart, TV. Peck, C. Berendt. H. Wells, R. Wells, Garnet Perry and I). .J. Evans.

The minute of the previous month |y meeting were confirmed. , The outward correspondence win read and approved. IN WAR 1) CORRESPONDENCE.

From Department of Internal Affairs supplying particulars of opossum revenue for 1926 season to following effect: Westland, trappers 73, skins 10,609; Grey, trappers 64, skins 7,436; Buller, trappers 39, skins 5,703. Total trappers for Dominion 1,057, skins 157,480, total value of royalties, licenses, fines, etc., £10,709, of which £4825 was paid to Acclimatisation Societies and £1679 to Forestry Depart-ment.-—Received.

From same notifying the carunciiliited stag was now absolutely protected.— Received.

■From same advising open opossum season from 11 June to 12 September, inclusive.—l {eceived.

From same supplying copies of amended regulations affecting the opossum season.—Received. From Tourist Department replying a report would be obtained regarding

qlie state of the huts on Ilanst Pass, and enquiring if the Society would contribute towards the cost of renovation.—Received and resolved to make enquiry from Mr Duning, Mak-

nroa, as to cost involved. From Postmaster, Hokitika, notifying game licenses had been issued to J. J. Mclntosh, senior and junior. John Morris, Cyril Fleming.—Received.

From Grey Society notifying engagement of a Ranger for the district and suggesting co-operation.—Received and referred to Chairman and Secretary to make necessary arrangements.

From same enquiring as to progress regarding matters at -Lake Kunicri hatchery.—Received and report of Hatchery Committc read and approved. From Otago Society acknowledging order for rainbow trout ova, which was expected to be available from about September 22 onward.—Received.

From Constable Brooks, Pembroke, reporting the deer culler bad brought in 593 jaws.—Received. From Otago Society suggesting cooperation in regard to the selection of the most suitable cullers of deer.— Received.

From J. Forbes, Christchurch, advising on the same matter.—Received. 11l connection with this matter it was decided to ask the Otago Society for further particulars. From Buller Sociotv enquiring as to the best class of country in which to liberate pheasants on the Coast.— Received and resolved to reply regard, ing local experience. The opinion was expressed that weasels were assisting to exterminate the pheasants. From K. W. Dalryinplo, Bulls, thanking Society for refund of license fee unused, and contributing a donation of £3 3s to the Society for its action..—Received with thanks. From Erie James, Okuru, enquiring as to persons shooting and stalking deer out of season.—-Received and reply to be forwarded.

From same advising removal to Makarora. but stating his frequent trips to Westland would permit him continuing to net in regard to the protection of native bird life.—-Re-ceived.

From same enquiring in regard to the liberation of opossums on private lands.-—Received and to explain the position. It was decided to make further application regarding liberation, and to ask the support of the Farmers Union in South Westland on the matter.

From same suggesting the issue of a tourist guide book covering the far south district, or in. conjunction with other publications of tbe ;*(nciety.— Received. GENERAL. Accounts to the amount of £23 10s wedc passed for payment. It was resolved to write appreciating the services of Air Ayson while Inspector of Fisheries, and make a small presentation as a memento of his interest in fisheries work in Westland. A sub-committee reported regarding the condition of the Tourist Cottage at Lake Kanieri, and as the repairs ill sight were, considerable it was resolved not to take iurlhor action. A discussion took place regarding weasels, hut no decision was reached.

TROUT VERSUS WHITEBAIT. At a meeting of the 'Westland Acclimatisation Society last night, a budget of correspondence was submitted to the meeting regarding the habits of trout and whitebait. Several of the communications have been published already. The following is a precis of the correspondence dealt with last night:— from J. Foote and 72 others stating a previous petition did not represent the views of the local fishermen : that the trout caused Tittle interference to the whitebait industry; that the sawdust- in streams was a greater menace, and the law should he upheld; also that the rivers of the district should bo stocked with quiimat salmon. —Received.

From Minister of Marine returning a similar communication evidently posted in C4Tor to his Department, and stating no doubt the Society would reply in due course-—Received.. From Tj. F. Ayson. A. F. Ilefiord, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, Wellington. North Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Greynmuth Societies giving various views on the controversy (already published!.—Received. From Irvine and Stevenson, Dunedin, stating there were large line 4 nations from one year to another in the whitebait catch at Hokitika, For the past eight, years from 191)5, compared with the last eight years muling 1926 there was a decline of 3ft per emit, and expressing accord with the view that whitebait should not be jeopardised for sport, seeing the industrial value whitebait created.—Received. 'There was a short dismission on the correspondence. The Chairman staled the matter lmd been well considered and it was not necessary to traverse former ground. It appeared to he a case for further investigation, to determine the position with regard to which there was some difference of opinion. To enable that investigation to take place he thought it advisable the stocking of the rivers with trout fry should he suspended meantime,

and moved accordingly. Mr R. Appleton seconded the motion.

Mr Braddon moved that the hate! ing proceed as was decided on a

read. Mr Melntish seconded. Dr Teiclicltnnnn raised a. point of order on the Chairman’s motion, of which notice should he given, as it traversed a former decision. Arrangements had been made with tbe Grey Society for joint hatching this season. The scientific evidence was to the effect that the large fish preyed on tbe smaller, which appeared natural.

Mr Evans moved as an amendment that in view of the arrangements with the Grey Society for the present season, the stocking this year he confined chiefly to the lakes, namely Lake Kanieri and South Westland lakes. Mr Braddon said the amendment was acceptable, and seconded it. Mr Peck and others spoke, after which the Chairman said he was not biased or prejudiced on the subject, but the scientific reports seemed to indicate the trout, committed more havoc among the whitebait than anything else. He had no objection to withdrawing his motion in favour of the amendment. At the same time there was an important industry to consider, and they should not push acclimatisation work to the detrimentof so important an industry. They should follow a right policy in the matter, which was to uphold a valuable industry in preference to catering for sportsmen’s pleasure. The amendment becoming the motion, it was agreed to unanimously, and the meeting proceeded to the next business.