Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1928, Page 4

Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER. 10th

The Council of the above Society met at the County Chambers at 7.30 o’clock. Present:—Mr J. J. Mclntosh (Vice-President) .In the chair, Messrs S. Godfrey, .J. King, H. Stuart, It. Paterson, Carnet Perry, C. Beromlt, AV. Bradilon, A. C. Armstrong and D. >l. Evans (lion, sec.). Apology was made for ])r Teichelmann (President) out of town. The minutes of the previous monthly meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence was approved. IN)V Alt D COItjtKSPONpiONCIC. From Department of Internal Affairs intimating chore is no present proposal to change the system regarding the deer stalking districts in Westlaml.—Received. The Secretary explained this was satisfactory and would justify the Society in incurring tile expeuso of issuing a map of the door stalking district in the Haast region.

prom sanio thanking the Society fur the report regarding the safeguarding of tile White Heron hit Okarito.—Deceived. Tim Secretary re ported regarding a conversation with Mr N. Friend who had made severs! valuable suggestions. Tho Chairman also referred to his experience statin' that this year lie had seen only four heron, instead of tho usual six 0” more. It was resolved to see ail possible etire was exercised ia tho matter.

From tho same regarding fines imposed for shooting native game, stating it would ho advisable for the Society to be represented at ail prosetuions by counsel to urge that preventative penalties he inflicted.—Deceived. Some discussion took place regarding tho engagement of counsel and ultimately it was resolved on the motion of Mr King seconded by Air Drnddon that the Society lie represented at ail prosecutions in respect to breaches of the Fisheries or Game Act, ns well ns in respect to breaches of tho opossum regulations.

From Auckland Acclimatisation Soiety, regretting mallard duck were not for sale.—Received. From Postal Department, notifying tlie net amount available from deer stalking licenses for the Society was £125 -Is, as against £l2l 8s previous year Deceived. From Southland Acclimatisation Society advising 350P00 brown trout ova had been forwarded.—Deceived. It was reported some of the ova was damaged bv rough handling in transit and that’ the matter had been reported to tlie Society. From Commissioner of Crown Lands suggesting that notice boards ire erected at all approaches to bird sanctuaries, drawing attention to tlie fact that tlie lake and surroundings at Kanicri, Mahinapua, lanthe, Wahapo, Dotokino, Mapoiirikn and Saltwater Lagoon were sanctuaries for game and that no trespass with dog or gun was permitted. The effect it was Considered would be to deter illegal shooting. Received. It was thought permits should be granted to shoot shags harboured in sanctuaries. Tlie matter was referred to tlie Chairman and Secretary to wait on the Commissioner, From J. Downs, Receiver of Opossum Revenue,' advising 13,908 skins had been stamped to date, with about 300 more to come exceeding last year’s tally by upwards of 1500 skins; also drawing attention to the increased number of trappers and supplying lists.—Deceived, and a. vote of thanks passed to Mr Downs for the impartial manner in which lie carried out the •regulations.

From Hokitika School Committee thanking Society for offer to provide transport for pupils to Lake Kanieri hatchery for object lesson.—Deceived.

From Herbert Johnson, England, forwarding deposit for deer stalking block, 1020, iii South West,land.—Reecivde. It was stated two blocks were being reserved at present for oversea stalkers.

From Thus. Harris, \\ aru Hoad applying for permit to shoot deer.— Received, and stated the permit hail beep issued on the usual conditions. 'From C. 11. Harris, Hiihuka, enquiring; regarding deer stalking'bloc!; tip Oiairu Valley.—Received. The Secretary's reply was. approved. From 0. IV. Pierson, Kumara, enquiring as to the northern boundary of the Westland Acclimatisation district.—lleceived, The Secretary stated the middle of the Teramakan was tlie gazetted boundary of the district, and Sir Pierson had been advised to that effect. From J. Forbes, Christchurch, giving particulars if cost of deer stalking map and making various recommendations regarding next season.—Received. Tt was resolved to arrange for the publication ot the map to be on sale at 3s each. „ From C. Hodgkimon, reporting the erection of the lint in the ITaast Valley was being put in hand and asking that the site be assured.—Received. The Secretary said application had been made to the Land Board for a lease of 20 acres surrounding the hut to he used eventually for paddock accommodation. From M. Houston and 00., notif j ing purchases of 2232 skins for An ust.—Received with thanks. From Grey District Society advisii the brown trout fry had not arrivi in good order and enquiring if the was any explanation of tiie canse.Received. Hr Armstrong, Chairmf of the Hatchery Committee, who r [sorted the fry were despatched fro; here in good order, was deputed I reply to the complaint. From New Zealand Forosty Leagw Wellington, circular asking that tl: public generally he impressed with tli necessity of preventing destruction ( forests and scenic resorts by fires du to carelessness, and suggesting waning notices.—Received and noted. From J. T. Timpson reonrting o opossum operations and condition o the forest traversed.— Received wit thanks. 'Die report was discussed i: some detail, the opinion being lb trappors should he called together b discuss the general position, so as t< ensure more effective control again* illicit trapping. A meeting will b< 1 1 e.hl at the next monthly meeting. From -T. Foote reporting further re gnrding the practice of depositin' sawdust in the river.—Reioived. 801 l Messrs Stuart and Perry stated rrecall tions were taken to avoid dopes ting sawdust in the whitebait season

the former inviting a visit of irs-pr-trion by the Chairman. Mr Ilraddosaid it was not unreasonable to ask the millers to keep the sawdust on J . during the whitebait catching reason and it was resolved to write the sawmill proprietors to that effect. From Erie James, four cemmnnications in regard to facilitating tours and tourist traffic in Smith Westland and additional publicity work—Received with thanks and referred to the Secretary to reply. GENERAL. The draft rules under revision were submitted and with slight amendment were referred to a special general meeting of the Society for adoption. It was resolved to make further enquiry regarding the individual take of parties engaged in opossum trapping. A suggestion Was made by Mr Armstrong that a special committee should be set up to deal with nil matters relating to opossum trapping. These matters were left over for discussion with the trappers.

Air Armstrong brought forward a suggestion regaiUing distribution of school writing pads issued by the Bird Protection Society, * Wellington, but no action was taken at present. The Chairman moved that the necessity for a vehicle road from AA’niho Bridge 'to Wnilio Glacier to enable visitors to drive to the foot of, tho glacier, be brought under tho notice of the Tourist Department. Many elderly visitors found the present walk too much and did not got ns far as the glacier. Air Godfrey seconded tlie motion, which after discussion was carried. The meeting concluded at 9.20 j).m.