ROD AND SUN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4964, 21 April 1926, Page 2

ROD AND SUN.

ACCLIMATISATION AFFAIRS. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Ohine.muri Acclimatisation Society was held at Bain’s Rooms Paeroa, on Friday night. In the absence of the president (Mr J. Hamilton) Mr G. H. Taylor presided over an attendance of 21 members. The annual report, presented by the secretary (Mr D. Leach), stated : “During the yea,r 70' pheasants, were received from the Auckland Society. Twenty birds were liberated on Mr G. Buchanan’s property, Paeroa, and '5O on the Wirihana Estate, Netherton. These were all first-class birds, and should help to improve the shooting in the district. The pheasants liberated previously at Karangahake have done well, and the sportsmen of that district, and the residents generally, deserve credit for protecting and fostering the birds. “The 50,000 trout fry were an excellent lot, and were liberated in the Waitawhe.ta, Hikutaja, Komata, and Tarariki streams. The fishing in these streams has been good. The trout, are multiplying in Koma,ta and Hikutaia streams, -and afford very good sport. The Waitawheta stream ip also improving, a,nd from now onwards there should be a decided improvement in all the streams. “In regard to finance, the expenses have been heavier than usual, and the receipts smaller, leaving a small credit, balance in hand. The decrease in revenue was due to the fact that a large number of members enrolled between January 1 and March 31 last year, when it was decided that such subscriptions should keep members financial until .the year ended March 31, 1926. An unusual item of expenditure of £2 2s 64 was due to the legal expenses involved in opposing the granting ot a timber floating License on the Waitewheta River. If this society had to pay expenses; in liberating pheasants and fish the funds: would be totally insufficient- Thanks a,re due to all members who: come forward every- year and -undertake the duties, attached to liberation without cost to the society. Th its: spirit of true sportsmanship is tsomtehing to be proud of. “During the year we lost by death one of our very old members in the, person of Mr E. J. Walters, of Hikutaia. The late Mr Walters rendered very valuable service and assistance to this society over a, long term of years. “As members ai;e aware, owing to dissatisfaction with the Auckland Society, an attempt was made to secure a separate acclimatisation district. in the Waikato and adjacent counties. Your committee supported this movement in conjunction with branches. The effort'toas unsuccessful, but the results are turning out satisfactorily. The Auckland Society intends in future to hold 1 its annual meetings at Hamilton, and this: js certainly an advantage- to the country branches. “In conclusion, we as<k for the cooperation of all members during the coming year by pushing ahead and fostering acclimatisation matters in the. district.” LIBERATION OF PHEASANTS. .Mr T. Edwards said that it appeared to be a fallacy to. purchase pheasants and liberate them only a Yew weeks before the shooting season opened. He thought tha 4 t the birds should either be taken over earlier or else hold them in pens until after the season. .The secretary explained that if the birds were kept it. would mean an expenditure of at £25. Mr C. A. Stembridge said that the last consignment of pheasants had been liberated on the Wirihana Estate at Netherton. The birds appeared to be wild enough, but there was little doubt that they > would come down on to the roadside and fall easy prey to gunis. Mt. M. J. Remmington said that some years ago a consignment of pheasants had been liberated some months before the season. At that time the birds were small and weak, and did not thrive well. It was resolved..that the secretary take steps to ascertain ways and means of erecting pens and feeding birds over the shooting season next year. PUKEKO. The parent society advised that the shooting of Pukeko was, open for the month off May.’in the Waipa and Piako counties only. / Several members sta.ted that Pukeko were becoming a nuisahce. parts of the Hauraki Plains, and a discussion ensued as to what steps should be -taken to cope with the- increase of the birds. Tha secretary s,aid .that an application for permission to shoot could be obtained direct from the Minister for Internal Affairs.. It was resolved that a, canvass should be made of settlers, in the district to ascertain, .the extent of the damage been done by the birds to crops, Mr Stembridge undertook to canvass, the farmers as early as .possible. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

. The election of officers for the ensuing season resulted as follows: — Patron, Mr J. B. Morris; presiddent, Mr J. Hamilton ; vice-presidents, Messrs G. H. Taylor (Paeroa), J. A. Reid (Netherton), D. McKee (Koma,ta), H. Wigmore (Karan gahake), A. R. Robinson (Hikutaia) ; secretary and treasurer, Mr D. Leach ; committee, Messrs W. J. Remmington, F. J. Dare, and J. Rackham, Karangahake ; A. B. Capper and F. Green, Hikutaia; C. A. Stembridge, Netherton; P. Angle, Koma.ta; T. Edwards, L. Nevin, and S. J. Nicholls, Paeroa. Representative to the Auckland Society, Mr T. N, Holmden, Auckland. HAWKS AND CATS. Mr Remmington drew attention to the depredations caused to pheasants and quail by the ca.ts in the bush.He said that, each year the dumber of cats were increasig, and they were becoming bolder. He suggested .that sportsmen might well organise and

shoot .all the'cats met with any distance from habitation. Mr Edwards thought a similar warfare might be made on hawks; and reminded the meeting that the parent, body waX paying sixpence a pair for the feet.

GAME SANCTUARIES. A lengthy discussion ensued concerning the large number of properties in the district that were carrying the society’s, notices proclaiming them game sanctuaries. It was contended, by severa.l speakers that many of’ such properties had been- closed up Tor many years, and this fact gave sportsmen, apd especially visitors, an •impression that shooting was difficult to obtain in the district. It was resolved that the secretary take steps to reconsider and interview property owners; whose properties were carrying the society’s notices.