ACCLIMATISATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4713, 18 June 1924, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION.

THE OHINEMUHI SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Ohiuem uri Acclimatisation Society was held in the Miners’ Union Hall, Karangahake, on Thursday evening last, the president, Mr J. Hamilton, presiding over an enthusiastic gathering d 23 members. The minutes of the last aninual meeting were read and confirmed, while the inward corrsepondence, which showed that the secretary, Mr D. Leach, had kept the society’s interests well before he Auckland Council!, was received and the outward endorsed. . ANNUAL REPORT. Tiie annual report, which was adopted was read as follows :— “During the past year the society has carried on acclimatisation work in the district with good results. Twenty-live thousand trout fry were received and liberated hi the Waitawhela, Kornata, and Hikutaia streams. “Trout arc certainly more plentiful in l.lic Waitawheta River, our principal fishing stream, Regular stocking is of the utmost importance, as this river can easily carry a much larger number of iish owing to the large mittee hopes to obtain a much larger mittec hopes to otbain a much larger allocation of fry in future, and anglers can look forward, to even better sport than in past years. The activities of the sawmilling industry at the head of the river has been kept under review, and the society has the assurance of the owners that provision has been made for the disposal of sawdust in keeping with the New Zealand Fisheries Act.

“It is gratifying to record that lish liare been caught in both the Kornata and Hikutaia streams during the past season, for the lirst time. Fry have been liberated in both streams during the last live year, and with continued stpcking these rivers will from now on .afford good sport.

"Mr Leach, our delegate on the Auckland Council, brought before the Auckland society the desirability of experimenting with the brown trout in some of our streams, and the council' has promised to supply a certain quantity of brown trout fry next season. These fish increase more rapidly than the rainbow variety in some localities, and produce excellent night fishing.

“Your committee suggests that members decide as soon as ppssible which stream or streams should be stocked with brown trout fry. The opinion of. some of our anglers is that the Hikutaia stream is the most suitable for this purpose. Fifty pheasants have been liberated this year, nine at Komata and the balance at Karaiig'ahake. Twentylive more will arrive this week, and your committee suggests that these be liberated in Karangahake. Satisfactory arrangements have been made with the property-owners on whose farms the birds were liberated in order that a watch can be kept on tlie birds, Members are urged to help owners by reporting anything wMich may affect the birds. If similar arrangements can be made at Nctherton before our next liberation of pheasants it is proposed to put the whole or the major portion in that locality. If the same method is followed during the following year at Komata it is expected that the number of pheasants in the district will be greatly increased. Your committee

is of opinion that the above method is much more desirable than distributing the birds in small numbers over the district, and .suggests that meetings of the society be held in Paerpa, Netherton, Kornata, and Hikutaia when convenient, in order to obtain tiie co-operation of sportsmen and farmers in those places.

"There Is no question that, as far as our district is concerned, the early liberation of birds, say, in the months of January and February, as was the case some years ago, which idea has. the approval of the curator of the Game Earm, Mr - McAnally, is much, better than the present system of liberating right on the shooting season. In the former case the birds cost a great deal less, and as there is an abundance of feed they make good progress. When the shooting season opens they are thoroughly at home, in a wild state, and can stand the winter conditions better because they are used to the country. Under tiie present system, arriving just prior to the shooting season, and tamed to n certain extent by their confinement, the birds fall an easy prey to the gun, and those that survive have a much more severe struggle to exist owing to ihc scarcity of feed ; and this after mouths of regular hand-feeding. Enclosed pens arc therefore absolutely necessary in -which to house and feed the birds until, say, September, when suitable conditions prevail. The society must, therefore, seriously consider this matter before next season.

“The thanks of the society i,s due to members and others who have assisted in the acclimatisation of fish am! game ; also to the assistant secretary, the late Mr Harry Morris, who worked so well in the interests of the society.

“Mr Leach, tiie secretary, is once more settled in the district, and hopes to have the assistance of all members in pushing the society ahead. It is recorded with satisfaction that the Karaugahake sportsmen, who were instrumental in forming Ihe ®hinemuri Society fifteen years ago, are still solidly in the front. If sportsmen in other parts of the district can be induced to take a similar interest in the society’s work good results will be obtained. An effort in this direction will be made during the coming year.

"Owing to the impossibility of our delegate attending all the meetings of the Auckland Council it was decided to appoint an Auckland resident, Mr T. N, Holmden, solicitor, to represent this society. This gentleman will act under instructions from the secretary. This arrangement will necessitate the attendance of our delegate, Mr Leach, at the Hamilton meetings only, thus saving the society; and himself a good deal of expense. "The society has reason to be pleased with the personnel of the Auckland Council. Some of; them are personally acquainted with tlie district, notably Messrs Grayson, Vifhitney, and Cullen, while the council as a body is composed of gentlemen who will give every consideration to the claims of the country branches. The president, Mr H. H. Ostler, a keen sportsman, with years of experience on the council, has always shown particular interest in and regard for the country societies. “Your cominitte urges members to increase the membership of the society, the necessary finance to carry on the proposed works during the year. “The secretary has* obtained a plan of the proposed game sanctuary for ducks near Pacroii which is open foi inspection. ' If ‘approved and the

necessary consent of the owneis obtained, no difficulty is anticipated in getting the sanction of - the Minister ■for Internal ■ Affairs. This sanctuaiy will be available for pheasants also, If required.” L It was decided to stock the Hikutaia Stream with brown trout during the coming season. The secretary introduced the subject of building suitable pens for the care of the young pheasants received by the society, and it was decided to have pens erected in a suitable locality. The secretary was instructed to apply for 100,000 trout fry for the coming season. The meeting resolved io liberate the 25 pheasants due on June 13 on the property of Mr H, Williams, and this and the adjoining properties were declared closed for. the remainder of the pi esent shooting season. It was decided to forward a recommendation to the Auckland society that efforts be made to have I’ukcko removed from the protected list within the society’s boundaries. With the object of giving sportsmen in other parts of the district an opportunity of attending the meetings of the society, meetings will be held at Paeroa, Hikutaia, and Nethcrtom The next meeting of the society will be held in Paeroa on Friday next, June 20. A resolution of sympathy was passed with the family of the late assistant secretary, Mr W. H. Morris, members standing in silence. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing term resulted as follows: — Patron, Mr J. ,W- T. Jones; president, Mr J. Hamilton ; vice-presidents, Messrs Walters, Hikutaia; J. Reid, Netheiton ; H. McCormack, Kornata; D. McKee, Paeroa; L. Nevin, and I. B. Morris, Karangahake; secretary, Mr D. Leach (Paeroa) ; assistant secretary, Mr L. Nevin; committee, ■Messrs Remington, Dare. Mead. B. Morris, Griffin, Angle, Bunting, H. Williams, H. Wigmore.