Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1928, Page 1

Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the above Society was held at the County Chambers Inst evening at 7.30 o’clock. Present: Dr Teichelmium (President), Messrs • It. Patterson, C Berendt, G. Howe, "W. Brndden, A. C. Armstrong, j. King, It. Stuart, "W. Peck, E. J. Lloyd and D. J. Evans (lion secretary). Apology was made for the absence of Air J. J. AfcTntosh. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and 1 outward correspondence was read and approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE! From Department of Internal Affairs acknowledging particulars of prosecutions under the Opossum Regulations, and asking recommendation as to the disposal of the skins forfeited. Received and reply approved. From same, ori same subject, stating that the fines would be allocated at the end of the season.—Received. From same, acknowledging report regarding prosecutions, also noting the unfavourable report regarding pigeons, and stating the matter of small fines imposed for breaches had been noted. , —Received. From same, expressing the hope that with regard to the establishment of a hydrb-eleotrie scheme near Oknrito, special steps' would lie taken" to protect the white heron and other native birds in the vicinity of tile Oknrito Lagoon ; and asking suggestions as to steps- to be taken in the matter.—Received. It was resolved to advise that the local residents took every care of the rare birds, and it was decided to write the Ranger and others, asking that the closest supervision possible be exercised. The matter of declaring a sanctuary over portion of the Oknrito Lagoon was discussed and consideration deferred. From Editor Fishing and Shooting Gazette, Wellington, asking particulars of proposed boundaries for deer stalking blocks in South Westland.—Received, to be supplied, and thanked for interest in the matter. From Brett’s . Christinas Annual, Auckland, thanking Society for page advertisement. —Received, advertising matter forwarded to cover the page reserved for the district.

From C. Hodgkinson, Hnwoa Flat, asking for locality map to fix site for hut to be erected in Lnndsborough district. South Westland, for benefit of deer stalkers.—Received, information forwarded and £3O preliminary expenses for deer culling approved.

From J. Forbes, Christchurch, enquiring in regard to season for taking deer in South Westland. —Received, and reply sent approved. From Postal Department notifying issue following licenses to take opossums:—B. Case, P. Ncaino, A. 11. Lyes, AY. Burrowes: J. Cantrick.—Received.

From J. Timpson reporting pigeons fairly plentiful in Lake Kanieri district, but shooting was not taking place; also stating swan were numerous at the head of Lake Kanieri; likewise deer.—Received.

From North Canterbury Society enquiring regarding condition of ova received and results.—Received, reply expressing satisfaction to be forwarded.

From AT. Houston arid Coy., stating 1179 opossum skins had been purchased to July 4th. and duty paid £SB l9s. —Received ; also a further report notifying 1439 skins purchased to July 30th.—Received. From R. Greenless and ,T. F. Finch, applying for permits to trap opossums on occupied land.—Received and approved.

From AYm Harris, application to shoot deer bn occupied land.—Received and deferred for owner’s application. From J. Morgan, St. Batlians; .J. Robertson, Oamaru, asking particulars regarding deer stalking season.—Received and supplied. From Otago Society notifying names of two persons who had been trapping find shooting out of season. From Grey District Society enquiring fegnrdifig trout fry.—Received, reply to be sent that IOO.COO would be available about the .middle of the inbnth. —Received.

GENERAL. Accounts to the amount of £B9 6s 2d were passed for payment. It was resolved to apportion £lO to the Westland Progress League for advertising the district in the AYleokly Press, Christmas Number. Oti the suggestion of Afr King it was decided to enquire from the Auckland Society the cost of Mallard duck for liberation in tlie district.

Reagrding the revision of the rules of the Society the President, Messrs Armstrong, King anil Evans were appointed a sub-committee to report as to a icreneral revision of the rules. The matter of ranging was deferred for the time being. Afr Drummond attended and reported on matters in connection with opossum trapping and the general operation of tho regulations. The opinion was expressed that thfe industry was so valuable to the district that the interests of tho Society in the matter should he watched to the fullest extent. Matters affecting the issue of trapping licenses were discussed, ns also suggested amendments to tlie regulntons. A conference with trappers will be bold lator. The services of the caretaker were dispensed with as from the 30th. June. A discussion ensued as to the harm done to the bird life of tlie bush by the weasel. The meeting concluded at 8.40 p.m. THE ACCTJArATTSATIbN OF QUINNAT SALMON TN LAKE K ANIERI, WEST UNO. (From Fishing and Shooting Gazette). Tn the issue of the Gazette of 2nd January there appeared fin article by Air J. ildbertsoil; of Invercargill, who remarked upoii the tendency of quinnat saimoit to adopt hand-locked habits, and quoting Lake Kanieri, Lako Ohati aiid Lake Hawed, as examples. That statement is no doubt correct regarding the two latter lakes, but as far as Lake Kanieri is concerned, the presence of quinnat tlieie is not’ due to their “adoption” hut to tlieir being acclimatised there. As this subject sceihs to be of general interest it would perhaps ho advisable to give the history of the stocking of tin lake with quinnat. Lake Kanieri is sitiiated about 12 miles from 'Hokitika, aiid is perhaps one of tho most beautiful bf the Lakes of Westland. It has a circumference of about 25 miles with only one small outlet of about half a chain in width. At this outlet i\ weir or dani lias been built to raise the height of the water in the lake to provide fin additional supply tc> the water race of an Hydroelectric company. The result is tlidt

the only outlet from the lake is practically blocked, it being very narrow and very shallow, and this consequently would reduce to a minimum the chances of any fish escaping from it. The streams that run into the lake are also very small, and would provide no means of escape. About twelve years ago, the late .Mr L. F. Ayson was in this district for the purposing of hatching and liberating quinnat fry in tile Hokitika River. After he had finished his work, he sent about 400 fry to the Curator of the Avcstland Acclimatisation Society’s hatchery at Kanieri, where they were kept until they were about six months old. The Curator (AH S. W. Ridland) instead of liberating tlierfi in the Kanieri River—which flows by the hatchery—thought' that lie would liberate them in the lake and accordingly took them to a suitable spot and let them go. Nothing more was seen of them, until five years ..later, when Air Ridland, who was doing some trapping in the electric company’s water race leading from the lake, trapped several fish which he could not identify. He kept some specimens until tlie next visit of Mr Ayson, who joyfully pronounced them to ho quinnat. Since then, spasmodic attempts have been made to further stock the lake, but lack of funds and tlie difficulty of obtaining further supplies of Ova, have been tho retarding factors. The local Society aro now making efforts to get an annual supply of quinnat Ova, as it iis considered that a. moTe intense system of stocking would make Lake Kanieri one of tho host fishing resorts .in tho Dominion, as well as being unique in the work of acclimatisation. In the early part of this season good catches were reported, hut since Christmas and during tlie abnormally dry spell of weather experienced on tlie West Coast this summer, very few fish were caught. It is believed also that the noise of tho speed boats which were very active during tho summer, has had the effect of driving the fish from tho shores out into deep water. However, it seems to he usual for very few fish to he caught after January, and no local authority can account for it.

'Pile method of fishing is usually trolling, as the densely wooded banks of the lake made it impossible to fish from the shore, except for a. few open spaces, which the fish do not seeni to frequent. A variety of baits are used. the most favoured being a. smelt or a spinner, and the silver and gold devons. As brown and rainbow trout are also to lie oauglit, it is not unusual for an angler to get the whole three varieties during the day’s sport. Tho quinnat do not seem to grow to any great size, the largest usually being in tho vicinity of five pounds. They are of a. clear stiver colour, and when hooked give a very good account of themselves. The sight of a good fish thrashing and leaping about in the clear crystal water of the lake, would gladden the, heart of any angler. They usually fight on tlie surface until brought in close to the boat, when they suddenly sound and until tho angler is used to their habits, lie will in all probability lose a fish or two. Considerable controversy has taken place ns to what species of salmon these fish belong, but tho late Mr Ayson identified them as “quinnat,” and an expression of opinion from such an authority, should finalv settle the matter.

In addition to tlie fishing in Lake Kanieri, deer are fairly plentiful round its shores, and some good heads have been taken. Also opossum, trapping is carried on extensively in season. ' Tho native pigeon is plentiful, but wild duck and swan are rare. Taken all round Lake Kanieri is well worth a visit, and if the visitor is not sportingly inclined, the wonderful scenery will adequately compensate for tho small expense entailed in the ear fare from Hokitika.