Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1928, Page 3

Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7tli

MONTHLY’ MEETING

The Council of the above Society met at the County Chambers' at 7 o’clock. Present: Dr Teiehelmann (.President), Messrs Garnet Perry. W. Braddon, E. J. Lloyd, R. Stuart, R. Paterson, Jas King, W. Peck, A. C. Armstrong, S. Godfrey and D. J. Evans (hon. sec.) The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.

The outward correspondence was approved.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE

From Department of Internal Affairs acknowledging reports affecting opossums and bird life and the destruction of vermin.—Received.

From Forest Service asking arrangement of temporary fishing license for visiting Empire delegates with Forest Conference party.—Received. The Secretary said the matter had been arranged.—Approved. From Department of Internal Affairs stating the opossum regulations were to he revised and asking for any suggested amendments. —Received. From Grey District Society recommending that the Stamping Officer in each district be authorised to sign trappers’ statements, and suggesting the season be extended beyond two months.—Received. It was resolved to reaffirm a season of two months, and to recommend that the licensing officer be notified promptly of any convictions, and that the regulations he tightened up to prohibit convicted persons acting in .opossum camps; also that a record he kept bv trappers of native birds and vermin caught in traps. From Manager Fishing and Shooting Gazette conveying thanks for appointing the Gazette the official organ ot the Society.—Received,

From Progress League with regard to publicity of Westland in the new monthly review to he published, entitled the New Zealand Motor Owner. --Received and referred to the President and Secretary.

From Da.lge.ty and Coy. reporting on monthly sale of opossum skins.—Received.

From Wellington Acclimatisation Society, forwarding copy of letter received from IT. Guthrie-Smith of Hawkes Bay, relative to protection of birdlife, and agreeing the opossums were not harmful.—Received with thanks. From G. W. Codings, Soddon, ask-

ing particulars regarding trapping season.—Received and supplied. From W. Owens, Kanieri, reporting the opossum trap was the best friend of the native bird, as twice as many weasels and rats were caught as against birds, while 90 per cent, of the latter were blackbirds, only one kiwi being caught and liberated in three years.— Received with thanks. From W. Watson Jr., Dunedin, offering to supply tourist views, and forwarding samples of Haast Pass scenery. —Received and regret expressed that the proposal did, not appear a suitable one for the Society to take up. From. F. Hailing, Wairarapa, enquiring with regard to deer stalking season.—Received and information to be supplied. From J. Harrison, Seddonville, to similar effect.—Received and agreed to. From J. L. McClaw, Hakotaramea, also asking about blocks and applying, for map.—Received and information to bo supplied. From J. T. Timpson, Hokitika, reporting in regard to extra trips made in ranging the back country.—Received. After discussion it was decided as the services re unauthorised not to take action.

From A. D. Kitto, Wanganui, application for deer stalking map.—Received and supplied. From R. G. Hill and partner, Wellington.' applying for stalking block.— Received and noted.

From Deep Sea Angling Ltd. Russell, stating all equipment for fishing could be supplied visitors.-—Received. From Eric James. Dunedin, correspondence relating to. publicity work. — Received. Tt as decided to write the Progress League regarding a lecture proposed in Christchurch. The Secretary was directed to reply regarding general correspondence.

GENERAL

The tender of AY. E. Richards for printing the Society’s by-laws was accepted. T. W. Bruce was elected a member of the Society.

Accounts to the amount of £154 8s 9d were passed for payment.. Mr Armstrong, Chairman of the Hatchery Committee reported a million quinnat and brown trout ova had been handled this year. 50,000 fry remained in the Hatchery and would he ready for liberation at the end of the month. The caretaker was attending to some necessary work about the building, and the carpenter Mould do what Mas required during the close season. It muis resolved to publish a list of licensed fishermen, and offer a rou’iml

of £2 for information leading to the

conviction of persons fishing without a license. The meeting concluded at 8.45 o’clock.