ACCLIMATISATION

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1933, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION

WESTLAND SOCIETY MEETING. ' REVIEW OF PAST SEASON. The Council of the Westland Acclimatisation Society met last evening. Present: Messrs A. C. Armstrong, A. N. Baikov, AV. Braddon. G. Kelly, J. King, R. Paterson, G. C. Perfy, D. J. Evans. Mr. Baker.-was elected to the chair in tho absence of the Pre-

sident (Dr. Teichelmaim). Apologies were received from Messrs J. ,J. McIntosh, E. J. Lloyd (sick), H. T. Parry, Dr. E. Teich.elma.hu, R. Stuart and H. XVells. The minutes of the previous meeting wore read and confirmed and the outward correspondence was approved. The. inward correspondence wa«. as follows: . From E. J. Lloyd, thanking. Society for good wishes and asking Council to grant him three months’ ‘leave of absence.—Received and leave of absence granted. From Southland Society, advising that the brown trout ova would be ready for August next.—Resolved that tentative order of 400,000 brown trout eyed ova be confirmed. 3?r6m N.Z. Acclimatisation Societies’ Association, ro destruction of vermin in the Westland District, and unclosing sample Of diary for record-in£-;tbe vermin destroyed and reoom-m-*itiding that the Council give same its .'oamest - r-onsideiifttion.-—Eeceived, From Turner .and Lo Bruges, asking to be supplied with the names and aid'd posses ’of las!f - season’s license holders.—lnformation .supplied by secretary. ' From Department of Internal Affaire, forwarding conditions and costs re. the supply of rainbow trout ova.—Received. From Department cf Internal Affairs, enclosing copy of Supplementary Gazette conti•intirig the. game season notifications for the season 1033.—Received. From D. Foster, Wellington, asking Society .to forward stalking map of South Westland deer forest.—Replied to. v ; ! V' From ,I>. McNicol,. Mikomii, 'asking ; permission to.'trap opossums on his property.—Replied to and applicant); referred to Department of Internal 'Affairs.,; - ■' ■: ■ - r ' : | j .‘THE 'ANNUAL 'MEETING. The'amiual meeting of the Society wa s held subsequently, ,Mr A. N. Baker presiding. Eleven members were present.- : The secretary read, the reports and balance sheet. r-; - HATCHERY REPORT.

The Hatchery Committee have-much pleasure in reporting on their activities sKlsd^ w ' Mr, Ridiand his duties on the 20th. May: and the first consignmenit of quinnat.ova arrived on the 28th: -May. The Marine Department favoured us with «, supply of 380,000 •quinnat ova dtitfng the season, ami is/iwiiai ‘with this species, arrived, and were hatched ..out very fatisfncr Details' as to their distribution, are given below. It is very dsmbtfhl : i if the : Society are justified continuing their, experiments with tIL quinnat, as results to date have' not justified:.th'e expenditure on .them. In view of tliO decreased revenue the Society have wisely decided not to

apply for further supplies in tho meantime.

In addition' to the quinnat the Society also purchased 500,000 brown eyed-ova from Canterbury and Southland and received a grant of 150,000 from Canterbury to replace the mortality, in the 'previous year’s consignments.

A grand total of 1,010.000 ova were hatched out during the season and the general condition of the fry was c)M(.e-lbnt. This, ltorgc amount constitutes somewhat cf a record for the local hatchery and the curator is to lie congratulated on the efficient way in which he discharged his duties and for the care and attention which is

.'eo necessary in the handling of such a large output. We are. glad to report that Mr Bidland's services are again available for the coming season. ' We regret to report that the bridge across the stream at tho hatchery was washed away during the recent big 1 flood, and if finances permit we would suggest that it lie replaced. 'Che following are the details of the distribution lof the fry:—Lake Kanieri 140,000, Kanieri River 70,000 quinnat and 100,000 brown, Lake lanthe 50,000 quinnat, Lake Mnpourika 50,000 quinna.t, Waiho River 5,C00 quinnat, Duck Creek 20,000 quinnat and 190,000 brown, Styx River 40,C00 quinnat and 60,000 brown, Murray Creek, 100,000 brown, Arahura River 100,000 brown, Totaria River 30,000 brown, Mikonui River 35,C00 brown, Lake Mahinapua 35,000 brown. The transport work was carried out by the Westland Dairy Co. in their usual capable manner. The various members of the hatchery committee assisted in the somewhat arduous work of the distribution of tho fry and considerably lightened the work all round. The appointment of the extra members to the hatchery committee wa.s very helpful. The Grey Society did not co-operate in the hatchery operations last season and have advised the Society of a similar intention this year. In consequence, the whole expense of the activities will have to be borne by this Society. The extra fry .available to stock our streams will he somewhat of a compensation and it is pleasing to note that a considerable economy can be effected this season in the purchase of ova, it being- reduced from 4s to 2s 6d per thousand. The hatchery plant ig in excellent order and no immediate expenditure is estimated on repairs for the coming season. Mr Rid land relinquished his duties off tho 17th. November, 1932. on the 17th. November, 1932.—Received.

The replacing of the bridge across the-stream at the hatchery was referred to the hatchery committee for their action.

The executive report stated that the Society had passed through another year during which its activities were carried op as usual. Regular meetings of the Council were held, with good attendances. The year opened 'with ,»FiyWe; hf 51 £IOO4 UV 7d mid • cloned with a credit balance of £612 IDs 9d, a decline on the year’s work of £361- 13s- 10d. The decline in revenue was due to the fact that no opossum revenue war, received, owing to tlie Government observing a c-loso season throughout the Dominion. After many years of. work, Acclimatisation Societies have been deprived of thejr share of the opossum revenue, land all they wilt receive in the future will be the nett proceds from fines and sales of forfeited articles. This action on the part of the Government is a serious blow to the Society. The opossum receipts were the main source

of the Society’s revenue. This is reflected in the balance sheet of the past year’s operations.

The activities of the Society in regard to fish culture were well, maintained as the hatchery committee report discloses. Thai expenditure for ova was £lO5 16s Id and the hatchery expenses £l77' 3s 9d. Liberation of fry from tire Aralmra river to Lake I Mapouiika accounted for £45 in expenses. The hatchery and grounds are I well maintained due to the. effort® of 1 the curator (Air Ridland). Ranging: Part time ranging was undertaken without material results; on the surface, but the knowledge of. a ranger J-n the districts always acts as a deterring effect. Deer Culling: Deer culling accounted for an expenditure of £7l 5s fid. The government lias decided not to declare a stalking season- under license tliis ye'ar. As a. result the Society will not he able to undertake any culling during the new year. However the Department of Internal Affairs lias undertaken extensive operations in 1 connect ion with the destruction of deer in the South Westland forests. It is regretted that the Department lias tinkem tlii;s dttop. Red deer license revenue amounting to £24 10s was received, and also game licenses revenue amounting to £2O 14s. Information has been received from settlers that the pheasants liberated by the Society are becoming acclimatised well, and several hen pheasants with their broods have noen seen. Reports indicate- that tho pheasant chicks appear to be thriving well. Pheasants are protected and. -may not be shot. It is as 'well to again make this public as the birds should be given every opportunity to become- thoroughly established, The thanks of the Society are duo to the -settlers: who have taken a. keen interest in the welfare of the birds. It is gratifying to learn that they are adapting themselves to the climate of the Westland district. The members of the hatchery committee- and several enthusiasts who assisted with the work of receiving ova and distributing fry deserve the Society’s sincere thanks for their arduous work. Tho President (Dr. Teiclielmann) attended the Conference of New Zealand Societies >as the Society's representative. In conclusion it is desirous that active .steps should ho taken to augment the depleted revenue of the Society. The jhearty co-operation of every member is requested in order that the work of the Society may be carried on for the benefit of both, sportsmen and district- in general. The chairman moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the chairman and members of the hatchery committee for their excellent work. The motion, was carried unanimously. Tho, Government’s action in not declaring a stalking season under license was discussed at length and it mkis deckled to recommend to tho Department of Internal Affairs to close the stalking blocks in- the Kaa r-ii-Land shore ugh area' and it was resolved to ask the cooperation of the Tourist Department in tills request. On the motion of Mr Brace the • reports and statement of accounts were adopted and a. vote of thanks passed to the secretary, The election of officers resulted: President, Dr. E. Teiclielmann, (reelected) ; vice-president, Mr J. J. McIntosh (re-elected) ; secretary, Mr H. W. Lodge; treasurer, Air ,T, King; council, Messrs A. O. Armstrong, A, N. Baker, W. Braddon, D. J. Evans, G. Kelly, J. King, E. J. Lloyd, H. T.

Parry, P. Paterson, G. C. Perry, R Stuart, H. Wells.

•A vote of thanks wa& passed to the council and executive on the motion of Mr Bnic-e, seconded by Air Irwin.

The following hatchery committee was appointed: Messrs A. 0. Armstrong, W. Braddon, E. J. Lloyd, H. Davidson, O. Preston, G. Kelly and A. Thompson.