A RETROSPECT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1932, Page 6

A RETROSPECT

ACCLIMATISATION WORKERS

INTERESTING REFERENCES-.

Apropos of the appointment of Mr Jas. King as treasurer of the local Acclimatisation Society at its last meeting mention may be made of the very fine service extending over a great number of years that Mr King 1 has rendered in the interests of sportsmen in this community and it is indeed commendable that h e should again accept responsible office in the local Society. The Westland Acclimatisation Society has been particularly fortunate in the number of men who have given it long and continued service and among others who may be mentioned particularly are Dr. Teichelmann, Mr W. Braddon, Mr E. J. Lloyd, and Mr D. J. Evans. Each of these gentlemen has to his credit some forty odd years of active interest in ' the affairs of the Society and each of them is still carrying on the good work on the executive. The late Mr Jas. Park also was one of the very active members of the Society in its early stages. The spirit of service which has animated these men is an example that may well be followed in these days when there seems to be | a growing tendency to leave evteryI thing “to the government.” The I success of the efforts of the small band of enthusiasts, has in a great measure, been of very material assist- ' ance to the district.. The introduc- | tion of the 1 opossum is perhaps the J outstanding, feature 'of the past activity of. the Society, and from a commercial i point' of view, there is'.no doubt, , that ; a v4ry {lucrative industry has ; been [ established. It is a great pity {that iin the past years' “the powers that be”would' not permit of the introduction of the opossum south of the Hokitika river; Had this been done | there is ho doubt that the great track of forest country in the southern area would have, produced from year to I year a wonderful harvest of these valuable little animals. The very nature iof the country would make it more or less a natural sanctuary, and would prevent the extermination of the species by the trapper, as has been the case, in the forest areas close to civilisation. The present winter season has been declared closed, as far as the opossums are concerned, and this may be deemed a very wise move. It is to he hoped that a close season will “be observed for the next three or four years at any rate, in order to give the opossum a chance to multiply and also to increase the value of the skins when economic conditions are restored . to a higher level.

i In the early years of the life of the Westland' Acclimatisation Society efforts were made to acclimatise pheasants and quail but these birds were shot out so quickly by pot hunters that further efforts in that direction were discouraged. The Society then turned its attention to the introducton of fish and their efforts met with greater success. Tench, perch, carp, catfish, whitefisli, quinnat, brown and rainbow trout, were all tried out, hut ! with the exception of the three latter > varieties, no success was obtained, although an occasional perch is still ' being caught by trout fishers in Lake Knnieri. Catfish have also been caught in Lake Mnliinapua, hut they do not j seem to have multiplied to any extent. High hopes were entertained for the;acclimatisation of quinnat salmon in this district, but up to the ’ present these hopes have not materialised. The quinnat salmon is> not considered a ‘‘game fish” and the intro-. 1 duct ion of this species waig (undertaken by the Government with the intention of building up a salmon industry along the lines of that of the Pacific coast of North America. Efforts are still being maintained - in this direction, in the hope that someday we may have n salmon canning industry—and if such does materialise—it is good to know that the best variety of the salmon family has been introduced—i.e. the Sock-eye—which co mm ah els a much higher price, than the “Chum’ or “Cohoe” .varieties. The hatchery at Lake Knnieri was another fine effort of the Society and tin’s was establishd by the voluntary assistance given by the earlier members. The lack of funds was then a serious handicap and at times the members had to dip into their own pockets to make up the “deficit.” A very pleasing feature of the local Society was its activities in assisting to give publicity to the scenic gems of the district and to do everything possible within jts resources to encourage tourist traffic. This is not usually a part- of the work of Acclimatisation Societies generally, and the district is fortunate in having had the cooperation of the Society in its efforts to advertise the wonderful scenery, which, a bounteous nature has generously provided. It is good to s r 'o that interest in the affairs of the WoHhnd Acclimatisation Society is still being maintained and that younger members arc ready to take un the work which members.

much as have been mentioned above, have carried on so loyally, and for so long.