Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1928, Page 1

Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4th., 1928

The Council of the Society met at 7.35 p.m. Present: Dr Teiehelnuuin (President), Messrs J. J. Mclntosh (Vice-President), E. J. Lloyd, G. Howe A. C. Armstrong, J. King, Garnet Perry, R. Stuart, It. Paterson, C. Uerendt and D. J. Evans (lion, secretary). Apology was made for the absence of Air W. Braddon. Constable Drummond was present by invitation. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Marine Department notifying that the regulations had been amended to permit the Department taking any kind of fish during close season for purposes of pisciculture.—Received. From Department of Internal Affairs acknowledging report regarding fines imposed.—Received.

From same stating a section in the Stock Act, 1927, marie it an offence and imposed a fine of £5 lor persons who without authority trespassed on private land with a dog or gun, and disturbed stock depastured.—Received. From same notifying that any requests for importations through the High Commissioner’s office, London, must pass through the New Zealand office to prevent misunderstanding.— Received. , From same giving particulars of procedure for the inspection of imported animals.—Received. From James Hislop, Socretary, thanking Society tor expressions of goodwill on retirement from office where it had been always a pleasure to assist and work with the Acclimatisation Societies.—Received. From G. P. Newton acknowledging congratulations and good wishes on appointment to Under-Secretaryship of the Department of Internal Affairs.— Received. From General Manager. Tourist and Health Resorts, stating the subsidy for booklet, “Holiday in Westland,” had been approved by the Minister, and would he paid shortly.—Received. The amount will he handed to the Progress League to finalise payment on the last issue of the booklet. From C. L. Ayson, notifying arrival with five cases quiniiat salmon ova from Hakataramea on 14th -Tune.—Received. Satisfaction was expressed at the excellent condition of the ova, and the ready assistance given by. Mr Ayson. From Otago Acclimatisation Society quoting 3s fid per 1,000 for brown trout ova deliverable in August.—Recoivecl. From North Canterbury Acdimatisation Society, quoting 2s (id for 1,000 lor brown trout ova, deliverable immediately.—Received. It was stated 200,000 had been ordered and received in good order. From New Zealand Acclimatisation Association acknowledging payment for labels and acid for deer-stalking season. —Received.

From Editor, Fishing and Shooting Gazette, asking for particulars of sport in Westland, and congratulating the Society on the excellent way in which the deer forest is administered in West, land.—Received. It was resolved to ask Messrs Forbes and Armstrong, with the President, to supply particulars concerning the sport and scenery of the district. '

From Westland Progress League forwarding copy of annual report, fleceived. From District Highways Council stating the turn-out at Lake Inntlie would be gravelled ; the location was used a good deal by stock drovers as a suitable place to pass cars.—Received with thanks for prompt attention. From Tourist League, Auckland, with reference to general advertising to attract visitors to the Dominion. Received. From Hawke’s Bay Society forwarding annual report. —Received. From C. Hodgkisnon, ranger, deer territory, reporting in respect to site for Williams hut.—Received. It was reported a locality plan had been sent and when a. site was selected application would be made for a title to the

From Grey District Societies enquiring regarding ova supply.—Received and information given. It was stated satisfactory arrangements had been made between the two Societies. From Bank of New Zealand asking for specimen signatures operating on account.—Received ; to he supplied. From Postmaster, Hokitika, notifying issue of game shooting licenses (additional) to 11. X. -Adamson, I). Denhehy, and Dr H. M. Buchanan.— Received with thanks. From same notifying issue ol opossum trapping licenses to N. Fairlie, A. Rhodes, C. AI ills, J. \ roblefski, jm, W A. Forsyth, A. R. Cropp, C. Smith, W. Clements, G. Olen. W. P. Trozona, H. Harrison, J. L. Martin, M. Nolan. J. Bergman, N. D. Nuthing, W. Fleming, A. Appleton, E. Appleton, r G. Appleton, W, Singer, X. Crqjvell, C. Ohlerog, D. Weir, F. Curtain, O. A. Saiy,yer, J. Timpson, J. Gardyne, A. D. G. .Muir, E L. Merewether, G. Harcourt, S. J. Godfrey, E. Haekell, C. Tulloch, F. W. Russ, L. L. Russ, J. J- Head, D E Brightwell, A. W. Mitchell, J. Holley, J. L. Lee,. J.Cook, P. Webster, Alfred Webb, T. E. Webb, H. Muir, J. Muir W ,P- Adams, H. Creaber, 0. Boddington, C. D. Dalkie. Cyril Curtis, Harold Michel, Stepen do Filippi, G. Webster, J. Foster, IV. Lyes, Jno. Lyes, A. Woolhouse, J. Mackav,- BGnmbrazzi, A., Griffen, W. Tinnetti, E. J. Little. J. Hagan, C. Morel, P. Heslan, J. Harris, IV. 501e,.-R. Woolhouse, A. ’ Wrohlefski— Received.

From Postmaster, Kumara, notifying issue of game license to G. Bignell and opossum trapping licenses to A. Sluiight, A. Sinclair, H. A. Sinclair, A. E Payn, F. Neame, M. Griffen, T. Henham, E. Johnson. —Received with thanks. From R. W. Dalrymple, Bulls, reporting on success of deer stalking in Haast district, and stating inter alia that bird life was fairly plentiful. Received with thanks. t .

REPORTS. Mr A. C. Armstrong on behalf of the Hatchery Committee, reported S. IV. Rutland had comhienced duties at the Hatchery on Ist June, and had everything in readiness for the reception of the quinnat ova. at the middle of the month. The ova arrived in charge of Mr Ay-son in excellent order, and was put down ill the new annexe which had been well constructed by Mr D. Stevenson and his men. The brown trout ova came to hand from Christchurch late. The eggs were pale and not as strong as the quinnat, but all were hatching out very well. There would be a high percentage of the quimiat. During the week-end several members of the” Grey Society visited the Hatchery and matters of management were discussed. Unity actioh in regard to the trout ova was decided upon. The cost of the repairs and enlargement of the hatchery,,are to be submitted to tli4 Grey- Society .which . will make, a I contribution of not less than £2o to-

wards the work. The Grey Society generally approved of what had been done.—Report received and approved.

Constable Drummond at the invitation of the President, addressed the members. He stated he had been always a keen lover of native bird life mid its preservation, and since coming to the district had become interested in opossum trapping. The work of the Society was therefore very much in his mind. He had come to the conclusion that more should he done in ranging the district both in season and put of it, and thought the Society should have a permanent ranger appointed. A practical man with a knowledge of the bush could assist greatly to conserve bird life, while much good work could be done in regard to the opossum industry, which in the interests of all should he fully controlled. Trappers should not be allowed to start operations before the season opened, and blocks should be patrolled regularly to see that the regulations were carried out and poison was not laid. A good man could do much to assist the work of the Society and he would be glad to co-operate in any way possible.

Mr Drummond was accorded a vote of thanks for his attendance and remarks. GENERAL. The matter of the employment of the Caretaker was left with the Hatchery Committee. *” '■*. Mr R. Paterson reported while in Christchurch he had enquired regarding quail. These were not obtainable. In respect to Canadian geese enquiry Was still being made and the North ’Canterbury Society was to report what could he done.—Received with thanks.. Regarding advertising deferred from the previous meeting, it was resolved to take a page in Brett’s Christmas annual at a- cost of £SO, and the President and Mr King were appointed a sub-committee to deal with the matter. The proposal is to divide the space for the use of local advertisers desiring to co-operate. In connection with the matter of advertising, Mr’ Armstrong thought at the end of the financial year when producing' their annual report, it should he in illustrated booklet form. The suggestion was noted for consideration later.

Mr Armstrong referred to the lack of information regarding further liberation of opossums in the district. He suggested Mr Seddon, M.P., he asked to enquire further in regard to the matter.—Agreed to. The matter of a visit of senior scholars to the Hatchery for,a nature study lesson was mentioned by Mr Armstrong, who said it would he of interest to captivate tile young minds in the work of acclimatisation. It was resolved to make y, vote of £3 towards the cost of the transport of the scholars. .Mr It. Paterson also offered to donate a trophy, valued at half a guinea, for the host essay written by the scholars as an outcome of the visit. The President remarked if the boys could become interested in the preservation of bird life in their early years, there would he fewer poachers in later years. On the suggestion of Mr Armstrong it was resolved that at next meeting the rules governing membership of the Society be reviewed, with the object of revising the conditions under which members are accepted. The meeting rose at 8.55 p.m.