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Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1928, Page 2

The interest which was centred in the annual meeting of the Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society last week, we hope, augurs well for the future. The Society after many years of financial tribulation has weathered its troubles, and is now in a position to get things done. During its career .the Society has done good service for the district. Over many years now enthusiasts have kept the flag flying and did what the resources of tho Society would permit to advance acclimatisation interests throughout the district. In various ways there is a good deal to- show of what service the Society lias been to Westland. It has certainly advanced the interests of Lake Kfinien. and now tfrat funds are

available, it is to be hoped the Society will be able to bring Lake Alaliinapua more into notice again by assisting to improve the access. Fishing in the district lias been greatly improved, and it says something for the past work of the Society to find so many northern fishermen finding their way to Westland streams in the pursuit of the sport. Many of the .southern livens have been stocked in the past, anil there lias been good fishing there, but the Society lias not derived anything like the reeoiiipen.se it should in revenue for its work. It costs money to procure ova. hatch out and distribute the fry, blit for the amount of valuable work done in the south, only a fraction of the outlay has been received by the Society in fishing licenses. V'iLh regard to the husbanding of the deer in the far south, the Society lias done its part. The herd there is considered the best in New Zealand, and as one aid to that result the yearly (idling carried out by the Society must lie a chief factor. The fame of the Haast herd has gone abroad, and overseas visitors will come regularly from distant places to shoot over the territory. In regard to opossums from which the Society now derives its principal income, an effort lias been made to obtain permission from the Government to infuse new blood into the district. Westland timber country and climate appears to suit admirably for tile development of a good class of fur. and the returns derived from the district have afforded pleasurable surprise in the past. AYitli such tracts of country suitable as a habitat for opossums, the Society is most anxious to see the industry involved in trapping considerably onlrged. At present the situation is held up bv a Cabinet minute, but tie mater is of such importance that the Society would do well to press for a favourable answer to the request, and have the embargo at present existing, removed. The Society lias the means at band to do a good deal Inwards extending Hie- npn-suni industry, and with the conditions as they are, it appears to be a recurring loss annually to see the present restriction niainlained. At the recent election of officers and committees some new blood was infused, and as all branches of the work of Hie Society are represented on the Council of Management, good work should be at tempted for the year, and a sal islaclory record ol work accomplished for the period.