Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1929, Page 2

Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society

THURSDAY, JULY Ith

The Council of the above Society met at the County Chambers at 7.30 1 .111. Present: Dr Teiehelm.,mi (President), Atessrs Baker, Kelly, R. Stuart, R. Appleton, H. Wells, Lloyd, Paterson, ...rmstroiig, Bniddon, Berendt, and Ranger Cederinan. i The minutes of the previous meet ing were confirmed.

The outward correspondence; was approved. IN WARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Department of'lnternal Affairforwarding authority to sell opossum skins and'traps found in the bush b\ the ranger, and proceeds to lie paid to the Public Account.—Received and action taken accordingly. From same notifying Societies were authorised to issue permits to destroy deer where same were considered a nuisance in conformity with the regu lations issued in February, 1924.—Received and filed.

From same, forwarding amended regulations, providing that prohibitions, as to rifles in Regulations of 1924 shal not apply to chamois,, deer, thar, moor, and wapiti.—Received and filed. From lit. Hon. Sir Joseph "Ward, promising to look into the request forwarded to the' Tourist Department for camping huts at Copper Creek, Blue River, and Paviriga 011 the far south road.—Received. From Commissioner of Polr-e stating effect was being given to. the augges j tion regarding suspected illegal taking of opossums. —-Received, .. From N,Z, Acclimatisation Societies Association asking information ns to the stops taken to keep, de'er herds in check, —Received and Secretary to renlv.

From same, notifying conference o' delegates of affiliated Societies would he held about mid-September, and asking names of delegates, and also the remits for discussion be forwarded 11m later than loth July.—Received and re mits regarding opossum trapping regulations suggested, including means of identification of ownership of traps set ; also limitation of traps so that same may be inspected regularly as provided by regulations. From same forwarding copy of Ken noth Sutherland’s report on bird life in fiordland, giving interesting details o K his observations. —Received, and read with interest.

From Auckland, Society stating up to 20 brace of partridges at 30s per brace might be available out of next shipment ; reservation to be notified early. —Received and resolved to order 20 brace iif available out of ( next shipment from Vienna.

From Government Curator, Hakataramea, notifying 225,000 salmon ova had been despatched, which was the •full quantity to be supplied this se.~ son.—Received. It was reported the ova arrived in good order and within 24 hours hatching began. It was decided to enquire for suggestions as to the liberation of the fry when ready. From Canterbury Society stating quantity and date of trout ova could not be supplied at present, floods having destroyed traps.—Received. Southland Society advised delivery of ova ordered .would start at thq end of the present month.—Received. Otago Society quoted five shillings per thousand for ova, plus charges.— Received. It was stated in view of the doubt about the supply from Canterbury, 200,000 had been ordered on behalf of the Grey and Westland Societies to be hatched at Lake Kanieri.

From Otago Society regretting it was not possible to co-operate in deer culling operations, and stating Ranger Hodgkinson’s statement regarding Makarora district was not correct, as deer had been culled in 1927 and 1928. Received, particulars to be supplied Ranger Hodgkinson. From Jas. Robertson, Oamaru, reporting on deer stalking in Wills Valley, and asking permission to try out the Paringa river next season.—Received and considered favourably. From Fire Brigade’s Demonstration Committee thanking Society for grant to funds.—Received.

From Eric James, Makarora, reporting a market for deer hides, more culling might be done, and suitable men should be offered the bonus.—Received. From C. M. Harris, Huliuka, thanking Society for grant for cleaning Upper Okuru track.—Received. From Jno. S. Hunt, Pembroke, asking to be supplied with map of deer territory.—Received and attended to. From Ranger Hodgkinson, Hawea x iat, stating the average for deer hides was 4s each, and adding the country was much too rough to bring the hides out. —Received.

From Norman Friend, Hon. Ranger, Okarito, reporting as to a suitable sanctuary for white heron in part of Okarito lagoon.—Received and suggestion accepted with thanks. From J. Timpson reporting on weasels, etc. trapped and stating deer were plentiful; also in view of the broken weather and the earthquake conditions, the opossum trapping season be extended a fortnight.—Received. From J. L. Lee, F. Appleton and other trappers, asking for an extension of the opossum season to the 15th August.—Received. The Ranger was not in favour of the extension. After discussion it was resolved in view of tho case made out by the trappers to recommend the extension asked for.

From Ranger Cederman, reporting on operations for portion of May and June, during which traps and skins had been seized.—Received. From same reporting on later period to date, in the course of which it was

stated traps and skins had been seized owing to the trappers being on a Forestry area off which they had been -‘warned ; also reporting three trappers had failed to produce their licenses on demand.—Received. In connection with the seizure, Mr Flcock appeared on behalf of the trappers concerned and explained the case on behalf of his clients and asked if there were to be a prosecution it should be brought promptly as his clients were anxious to clear themselves. It was resolved that the matter was one for, the Forestry Department to take action. In respect to the other matters the Ranger was authorised to lay the informations through the Society’s solicitor with as little de : lay as possible. ■ From E. Markland and 125 others, resident at Ivanieri, Woodstock, and Rimu, protesting against the practice of using set nets for taking whitebait, stating the procedure limited the supply of fish reaching the upper waters and asking that the protest be forwarded to the Marine Department.— Deceived. Following the discussion, Mr Howe moved and Mr Braddon seconded the Society take no action. As an amendment, Mr Armstrong moved and Mr Wells seconded that the Society forward the complaint to the Marine Department without comment. The amendment was lost and the motion carried, as also a further motion moved by Mr Paterson and seconded by Mr Appleton that the letter be returned to the writers leaving it open for them to take further action. GENERAL. The Secretary reported that the Ranger had reported a white heron had been shot inadvertently near Okarito by a young man. The particulars had been supplied to the police and a prosecution was to follow. The bird had been secured and forwarded to tho Canterbury Museum. It was decided to write the Inspector of Fisheries at Wellington, and suggest at a suitable season the Hokitika river be netted for quinnat salmon. It was resolved to suggest that the protection of weasels be lifted. Accounts to the amount of CSO 18s 3d were passed for payment. The meeting concluded at 9 o’clock.