WESTLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1927, Page 4

WESTLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

THURSDAY. .Jl'I.Y 7t!i. The monthly meeting ot the ( uuncii i)f tilt) above Wit s Jtcltl at tilC* t,OUllt\ ('ham hers ill 7.35 11-111. Present:--Messrs G. A. Perry (President), Garnet Perry. R. Appleton, \Y. Hraddon. R. Paterson. R. .Stiuilt. A. Xancohnoii. \Y. Peck. .1. Mclntosli. 11. I’- Parry, D. .1. Evans and l)r Teiclielmann. The minutes of the previous meeting were rend and confirmed. The outward eorresomlenee was road and a)iproved. fN WARD COR R F.H POX DE X(' E. l-'roni internal A flairs Department, stilting it been found desirable to decline the red-legged or I- renc-h partridge imported game.— Received. Prom same staling the warrant was renewed to enable the Society to authorise persons to destroy deer.-- Received and referred to the Secretary. Prom .Marine Department replying that a. grant ol quiunaiit salmon ova could not lie made owing to heavy fluods restricting the quantity of ova taken, all of which was required for stocking bv tho Department. — Received. A discussion ensued in regard to the habits of quinnut. it being remarked the fish were a detriment to trout, hut this was not supported as being anything ol a meiuue. prom ('. U. Ay.son. Wellington, stating the letter of appreciation of his lute lather’s services had been receiveo subscqiiout to bis passing, and tbankthe Society for tlie kind expressions tendered.—Received and general regret expressed at the passing of one who had been such an enthusiast tn his profession, and who had been. also, so helpful' to acclimatisation work in Westland. Prom Department of Internal Affairs notifying no action is to be taken meanwhile in the liberation of opossums in South Westland.—Received. Prom Director of Forestry regretting the decision given in the letter from the Department ol Internal Adairs, as the Forest Service is strongly of opinion that in the interests ol a promising industry opossums should bo liberated to improve the stock and introduce the animal in the more remote State forests.—Received. The decision of the Government in the matter was regretted, the establishing of opossums in the southern district being considered of commercial value to the locality and the country at large. prom Tourist Department with regard to the reading ol Lake Kanieri stating that the Rubi’ic Works Department estimated the cost at L'l.tiOO and as the road was considered purely a tourist one, the present was considered mi inopportune time to commence operations.—Received. -Mr Mefiitosn expressed the view that a road by wav of Dorothy Falls, to the .>tvx. and into the Kokatahi Valley, would be a very popular run with all classes ol motorists—local and tourists. It was considered, this project should he kept in view.

Prom Rex. .1. Dunning, Mukaroa. reporting on llaast Pass Track which required attention on the Westland side, and recommending the Hurko hut he re-built on a more suitable site. --Received with thanks and copies to

he sgjit to the I'ourist and Public Works Department, with the suggestion to have the track repairs carried

out and the re-building of the liurk hut a a new site to be selected by l!i (internment Officer.

Prom Department el Internal Aifair

replying that similar provision will lx* made regarding next year's stalking season in Westland to those pertaining 1a s t sea son.—R eee i ved. Prom Otago Aclimatisation Society with regard to the appointment ol cullers.—Received. Prom J. Forbes, Christchurch, reporting in reference to same matter. —Received with thanks, and matter affecting culling left with the Secretary to make the Usual arrangements, tails to be the tally instead of jaws as heretofore. From E. James, Ranger, .Maknrurn. enquiring with regard to the shooting of deer out of season and the finding of pigeon feathers near a private house.—Received and asked to supply full particulars to the resident police officer.

Prom Grey Acclimatisation fsoeietv forwarding particulars of account for baiT-sliare of Ranger’s salary.—Received and tlie account passed for payment. The question of further arrangements will he taken up later. WHITER AIT CONBPR VATTfiX. From .Marine Depart men t regarding proposals for the i oiscrvation of whitebait, stating there was a difliculiy presented in that Hie run of fish ecriirred in different livers at different times, and asking a report as to present conditions of whitebait fishing in tee most important rivers of the Westland district, with some idea o! tin? quantities obtainable; bow pre-

sent conditions compared with those ol the jiast; dates for the beginning, height, and cud of the season; wheth-

er the Society favoured a limited season. and dates for the opening and (losing of the whitebait season.-—Re-ceived.

In connection with the foregoing, tho following report wa.s received from tho Westland 'Whitebait Fishermen’s Association : SPECIAL REPORT.

At the request of your Society, a committee of llie most experienced whitebait-fishermen in AA'cstlaiul was selected by tlio fishermen at: n meeting. arranged by your .Society, held on the 22m1. to deal with the points raised hy the letter from the Marine Depa rtniont in connection with the whitebait industry. We submit the following report:— The run of fish depend on the weather which affected the state of the rivers. The weather was variable, sometimes delaying and at other times extending the season. Warm spring weather, with not longer than ten days with rain, with small floods at intervals, has proved to lie the best conditions, the best runs are always in evidence before an approaching storm. Strange to relate, on these occasions the fish are more massed and travel at twice the speed of ordinary times, and are more easily netted.

To our knowledge there are two distinct species of whitebait, one speeie is the long clear fish with a black dotted line, extending from the head to the tail. Those fish run the whole period of the season, while the other species are shorter and much stouter fish, with a yellowish tint, and rarely make more than four or live runs during a season, and are known to the fishermen as the Jelly-fish species. They are a much superior qualitv of fish to the former.

from out kuo wledge. whitebait travel from a north-west direction in huge shoals. This is demonstrated by the fact that swarms of sen-birds are to be seen following the shoals along the coast feeding on them, often right into the river-moutlis these birds continue to follow the main shoals as they continue south.

The whitebait begin to run usually in August and continue to the middle

of December, the greater runs taking place from about tho 20th September until the 10th November. In good season, the lisli have been known to

Ije plentiful from the middle of August until the middle of December, the length of season depending entirely on heather conditions. The late whitebait at the end of November are of a poor quality, being very poor condition, and travel in small bunches with their heads almost out of the water. With regard to the theory that luanga are the parent fish of whitebait, we are unable to throw light on the problem, as whitebait.. run from July until December, a period of six months. As the luanga spawn in .March, it is difficult to believe the early whitebait in July and the late whitebait in December can he spawn of the same fish. Naturally the late whitebait in December would be expected tn be much larger fmh than those of the early period of the season, hut the position is quite the reverse. 'I lorn again, there are more than, one species. The Committee was much obliged lor the following records kindly supplied bv .Mr W. Tlowe, of Hokitika. Season 1007.' Opened 21th August, ended 25th November. A good season. factory at time unable to cope with supply. Enormous quantities o! whitebait passing up-stream. Season 1008. Kish commenced to run 21 st August and ending 27th November. A fair season, but owing to the low state ot the river, quantities of whitebait passed up-stream, there being not enough current to catch them. ■Season 190:). Opened 28lfi August, ended 28th November. A very had season, one of the poorest- on record. Season 1910. Commenced 22nd August, ended 251 h November. A good season. Fishermen ceased catching, for live days owing to the laetory being over-supplied. Season 1911. .Commenced in August, ended 27th November. Poor season. much bad weather. Season 1912. Opened 26th August, toiled 2Atb November. Poor season. Season 1912, Commenced 12th Angst, ended 20th November. A good season, weather conditions most favourable. Season 19M. Commenced 6th September. A big season ; great quantities of lisli passing up-stream owing to factory being un;\ble to cepe with supply. Season 1915. Commenced on loth August, ended 19th November. A very poor season, much bad weather. No Idling at all from Wth September until 29th September. Season 191(1. Commenced lsl September. closed 12t.h October. A laii season, shortest on record. Season 1917. Commenced 28th Augii —t. ending 2fith November. Weather conditions very lavorvable. but. a pour season. Season 1918. Commenced Sib August, ended 2th December. One of I lie best seasons on record. Season 1919. Commenced 25th August. ended 2Pth Xoember. A lair season.

Season 1920. Commenced 23rd August, ended 18th December. A moderate season. Season 1921. Commenced Kith \ugnst. ended Kith November. A good season. The following official records are supplied by the local Inspector ot lobcries. Season 1922—17.000 lbs valued at .02.(10(1. Season 1923—22 tons valued at 03,500. Season 1921-52.050 lit, valued at ■92.092 I Os. Season 1025 91.505 lbs valued at : i 7s fid. 192.5 was undoubtedly the greatest •.cason on record. Apart I rout the quantities recorded, enormous amounts ot lisli were allowed to pass upstream, owing to factory and Christchurch markets being glutted. Season 15)2(5. Modern!e; no figures available: weather conditions most unfavourable; rivers continually in Hood. It is the opinion of the Committee, who have sought much information on this subject, dating hack over a number of years, that there is no decrease in the runs ol whitebait as

season 1925 proves conclusively. After viewing these taels, we recommend no alterations other than the present regulation governing tho Whitehall, iudiist rv.

On behalf of the Research Commit

(Signed). G. HOWL

The report was received as a valuable one, and generally concurred in. Mr Hraddon gave some interesting particular:; regarding the run of other small lisli in conjunction with the seasonal advent of the whitebait, remarks which were supplemented by oilier spcakcis who spoke of the results when keeping whitebait in captivity lor a period to remark on their changes.

It was resolved that a copy ol Luc report be lorwarded to (be Marine Department with a recommendation that no restrictions be placed on the taking of whitebait in Westland district waters this season. It was mentioned also that the whitebait season woui'd also fie a weVfome means of affording additional employment in the district this

OPOSSUM TRAPPING LICENSES.

I lie Postmasters at Hokitika and ICumnra notified the following opossum trapping licenses find been issued lor 1027 season :

W. J. Kdgnr, A. Appleton, G. Appleton. Hokitika; I’. Webster, G. Mobster. J. foster. Hintu; G. Kith), 11. Jlamniond. Waiiiiliinihi ; A. G. Great hatch, Kokntahi. J. Toohey. Hokitika .1. Lee, Wninihinihi ; IX Reid. Hokitika; A. Gold, Humphreys; A. G. Rodgers, G. Ktronach, Millers’ Kins ; S. Slater, l.ake Knnieri ; R. Wilson. Humphreys, A. Wrohlesfski. Kokntahi : W. Owens, G. Morris, J. Morris, Kaniori; W. Holley, B. Biddulph. Hokitika; I). J. Agnow, Arahura; Geo. Harcoui't, Humphreys; A. Krakowsky, Kanicri ; Tuilooh, J. Cook, Lake Knnieri ; R. Steel, R. Gambirazzi,. Goldsborough A. Cain, Knnieri; *AA . Routlmn, Goldsborough; f. llavill, Knnieri folks; P. Xenme, Kumara ; G. .Mills, f. Havill jnr., Knnieri Forks ; A. Appleton, Hokitika ; E. Merewether, Stafford: S. J. Godfrey, Koiterangi; A. Muir, F. .Martin. Arnhura ; G. Bell, Hokitika; A. 11. Edwards. Arahura; O. Haussinann, Hokitika ; A. Straight, 11. Sinclair, Kumara. The following permits to trap on occupied holdings had been issued hy the Society:

I). C. Finch, Chesterfield; G. Noble, Mi’ue Spur; John Muir, Aiahura; if. Stewart, Goldsborough; \\ . J. .Johnston, Kokntahi: IX Olsen, Humphreys; J. McDonald, Kumara; E. Trfacy, Christchurch Road; A. Hamilton, Arnhura; AY. H. Batson, Kumara ; J. Harvey. Arahura; A. Griffin. Wninihinihi ; AA’m. Ylills. Humphreys; J. .T. Painnient, Kumara; A. Richards, Arahura; G. Fitzgerald, AA r ainihinihi ; G. Hunt. Kumara; F.. Cook. Kumara Junction; W. J. Houston, Arahura ; AA 7 . O’Brien. Kokntahi: A. Schumacher. Christchurch Road.

SHOOTING LICENSES. An additional shooting license was issued as follows:—A. D. MeGavock. Hokitika. The reports were received. It was stated that in 192.5 the number of licenses were 21 ; last year 73, and this year (so far) 46, with 21 permits. The

question of amending the regulations regarding the issue of permits was mentioned, but at the present stage no action was taken. GENERAL.

Accounts amounting to CII 17s 2d were passed for payment. Matters in connection with the Hatchery management were mentioned, tne special committee in conjunction with the Grey .Society functioning satisfactorily. A visit had been paid during the month to the hatchery. The question of opening a short length of road towards Dorothy Falls from the end of the present mad at Huns Bay was mentioned, it being indicated that the District Engineer of the Public Works Department was recommending L'7s, £ for C, tor the work. Tho route was approved getterally, and would he the means of relieving the present congestion at times at the Landing, which was not considered desirable, that locality being the source of the town water supply. Alter discussion is was resolved to vote Cm tn the County Council' for the work, and to ask that body to carry out the road construction in conjunction with the Public Works Department. As a means of providing a measure of employment it was suggested the work be put m band as early as convenient.

A proposal' was put forward to place some white swans on Lake Kanieri. Some objections were raised and the matter dropped. Tin? meeting concluded at 8.55 p.m.