ACCLIMATISATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4727, 21 July 1924, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION.

e OHINEMURI SOCIETY. WORKING FOR THE FUTURE. Judging by the efforts of a few ot the members, led by the energetic secretary, Mr D. Leach, the Ohinemuri Acclimatisation Society is moving rapidly towards becoming one of the most progressive in the Auckland province, and the prospects of ample fishing and shooting in the district in the future seem to be assured. The parent body in Auckland, recognising the efforts that are being made to foster and encourage acclimatisation matters by the the local society, is prepared to lend all possible support, judging by the communications that have recently passed between that society and the local secretary. Mr Leach hais received advice from Auckland that Ohinemuri’s application for 190,000 trout fry, including 20.000 brown trout, had been favourably considered. Mr Leach states that it is intended to liberate 20,000 rainbow trout in the Komata Stream, 50, 000 in the Waitawheta Stream, 5009 in Tarariki Creek, ami 5000 in the Waitoa Stream. It is hoped to also liberate 20,000 brown trout fry in the Hikutaia Creek, but it is understood that the Auckland Council anticipates some difficulty in obtaining the brown trout from Wellington, owing to the weather conditions there being unfayourable for the ova. PHEASANT EGGS. The Auckland Council advised that in accordance with a request ten sittings of pheasant eggs would be forwarded for hatching purposes. Mr Leach lias made arrangements witn some enthusiasts to look after the sittings under the supervision of the society. Although more in the nature of an experiment, it is hpped by this means to' increase the number ot birds in the district. PUKEKO. * In leply to the resolution ‘‘That, in view of the great increase of pukeko on the Hauraki Plains, and the consequent damage to settler,s’ crops, the Auckland Council be requested to bring pressure to bear upon the Minister for Internal Affairs so that pukeko be removed from the list pf protected native birds, thereby allowing genuine sportsmen the privilege of keeping such birds in check,” which was carried by the local society, the Auckland Council advised that it had endeavoured to arrange with the Minister for an open season, but had been successful only in so far as the Waipa County was concerned, but a further effort would be made next season.

HIKUTAIA AND KOMATA STREAMS The Auckland Council was advised that the Hikutaia and Komata streams were now carrying catchable fish after stocking tor five years, and it was pointed out that on both streams were batteries which, sooner or later, might be emptying tailings into them. As only the Ohinemuri River and its tributaries had been gazetted sludge, channels, and the Hikutaia and Komata streams were tributaries of the Thames River, it was asked if any steps could be taken to prevent the mining companies from emptying spoil into those streams. In reply the Auckland Council advised that the North Canterbury Society had taken the matter up and had learned that the practice could be stopped with little expense to the societies concerned. The Auckland body intended lending its full support in the matter. ' LIBERATION OF DEER. In reply to a request that the society should receive a number of deer for liberation in the Waitawheta Valley, the Council advised that the Forestry Department was against further liberation of deer, and it was regretted that no help could at present be given. OPOSSUMS. In reply to the information that the black opossums which had been liberated ten years ago between Karangahake and Te Aroha on the Waitawheta watershed were increasing in numbers, the Council advised that it had tried unsuccsesfully to obtain permission form the Minister for Internal Affairs to catch black opossums and liberate them again in other areas.