Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1929, Page 2

Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society

THURSDAY, September 5

The monthly meeting of the Council of the above Society was held at the County Chambers at 7.35. p.m.

Present:—Dr Teiehelmann (President) Messrs Baker, Braddon Garnet Perry, Godfrey, R. Stuart, R. J. Appleton, G. Howe, R. Paterson, Lloyd, Armstrong and Evans. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and apx>roved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Treasury remitting £2 17s fees and fines under the Fisheries Aci for■. June quarter.—Received. From General Post Office, Wellington, forwarding £l6l 2s net amouiii of deer stalking licenses for past season.—Received.

From Department of Internal Affairs acknowledging receipt of annual report and balance with thanks. Received.

From Postmaster. Hokitika, advising issue of late opossum trapping, license —Received.

From Dalgety and Coy. Ltd., Dunedin, reporting sale of opossum skins; last prices, blues 9s lid to 23s 2d: blacks 10s lid to 23s Id; greys 9s 3d to 18s 10s; browns 9s Id to 15s 4d; reds 7s to 14s 9d; 3lates 10s 3d to 15s 7d.—Received. From R. S. Black Ltd., Dunedin, stating a short synopsis of the opossum industry was being compiled, and asking for information as to the acreage of forest covered ‘by the trappers, the number of trappers and the total skins taken for the season. —Received, and information to be supplied by Secretary. From J. Downs, Stamping Officer for district, reporting number of skins stamped for the recent season, 13,c03, and particulars of trappers’ returns.— Received • with thanks, and a vote of appreciation passed to the Stamping Officer for the manner in which his duties had been carried out. From G. F. Ayson reporting purchase of 2480 opossum skins in district.—Received.

From Otago Acclimatisation Society reporting further trout ova could not be supplied this season owing to floods carrying away traps.— Received. The Secretary reported waiting on the North Canterbury Society at Christchurch, and receiving a similar reply as to inability to supply the ova ordered. From North Canterbury Society offering to supply Pukeko at £1 per pair.—Received and birds not required.

From C. Hodgkinson, Ranger, Ha-wea Flat, suggesting Mr J. Forbes of Christchurch, be asked to give a special report on the South Westland deer stalking blocks.—Received and resolved to communicate with' Mr Forbes as to the investigation. From Trevor S. Withers, Auckland, asking particulars of deer herds in Westland, for use in connection witn data to be published covering deer herds of the Dominion.—Received and Mr Forbes to be asked to. furnish any available data.

From Southland Anglers’ Club forwarding copies of “Trout and Salmon Fishing in Southland” for sale.—Received \ and to be handed to Air J. King, bookseller, for sale.

From New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies Association forwarding list of remits for conference at Wellington on the IStli and 19th September. —Received. Air A. N. Baker was appointed delegate to the Conference. The .remits were discussed and information supplied the delegate.

From A. Cederman, Ranger, reporting on operations for past month, and suggesting the number of traps allowed for opossum trapping be limited to 100 per man.—Received. Air Godfrey stated the limit should be not more than 150. The limit was necessary to ensure all traps being visited daily as required by the regulations. It was resolved to write Air O’Brien, AI.P., enquiring when the Government would have the report available respecting the liberation of opossums in South Westland. The matter of the Ranger’s engagement tyas left in the Hands of the Secretary. From Eric James reporting visit to Hokitika next week, and enquiring regarding slides for advertising purposes ; also reporting on tourist possibilities.—Received. \

From F. E. Thomston, editor of Gazette” asking for short history of Society and riie fishing possibilities of the district.—Received and referred to Air Armstrong to reply. GENERAL. Accounts to the amount of £45 0s 2d were passed for payment. Air Armstrong moved that the Hatchery grounds, be put in order, and the ponds be attended to, the Hatchery Committee he empowered to act up to a cost of about £3O. Air Lloyd seconded. Air Howe moved as an amendment that no additional expenditure take place at the Hatchery, as trout fishers were the opponents of the whitebait industry. This latter statement was denied by fishermen present who stated the only advocates against whitebait fishing and restrictions were on the East Coast. The amendment was not seconded and lapsed, and the motion carried.

The Chairman referred to a publicity movement for South Westland by the Railway Publicity Department for which £SO was required from the district. It was resolved to contribute up to £lO further amounts to be raised locally.

A suggestion was made to seek permission to introduce musk rats which had a very valuable fur, and were producing much wealth in the United States. The matter after discussion was referred to Air Baker to discuss at the forthcoming Conference in Wellington. Air Baker was instructed to oppose the whitebait regulations as proposed in their present form, on the grounds that as drafted they would kill the valuable industry which had been built up in the district. 'l'lie meeting concluded at 8.45 o’clock.

Whatever, the cause of a cold might be there is one thing sure—the remedy ,s “ Nazol.” Gives instant relief. -66 loses for Is fid.—Advt