ACCLIMATISATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5267, 27 April 1928, Page 1

ACCLIMATISATION.

THE OHINBMUHI CLUE.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The annual general meeting of the Ohinemuri Acclimatisation Chib was ■held at Mr W. Bain’s rooms on Saturday night, the president (M’” J. Hamilton) presiding over Messrs F. Dare, H. Will'ams, A. Maclarn, S. JNioholls, C. Mead, D. McKee, E. Edwards, H. C. Lewin, L. HaguoS'mith, J. z Dawson, and. D. Leach (.secretary). ANNUAL REPORT. ?

“During the year matters have progressed satisfactorily. Fifteen thousand trout fry and 30 pheasants were received from the Auckland, society, and also a consignment of pheasants’ eggs. Owing to thq quantity of fry being smaller than usual, aid those received were liberated in the Waitawheta River. The pheasant eggs were not a success, ajs stoats and weasels destroyed one lot of three, dozen chickens, and of the balance only six birds survived. The Auckland society when forwarding the pheasants requested that they should be penned until after the end of the shooting season. The society was convinced that although the suggestion was. impossible, there was an, excellent sanctuary at Netherton in the Wirihana estate, and the birds were duly forwarded and liberated' there. These birds were in first-class condition, and only one failed to survive. “In regard to pukekos, members will notice that this club’s representations last year to the Government in conjunction with other clubs, and societies resulted in an open season for these birds for one m'ontli. “.Poaching.—Poaching is Still carried on to some, extent, but with the assistance of the Auckland society s rangers, who have been in the district during the. year, sufficient knowledge of the habits of the poachers is availably, and convictions can be expected in the near future. “Game Sanctuary.—lt is to be rer gretted that so far we have been unable to secure! an area for a gazetted game sanctuary. The area under consideration, namely, the deadHend of the Waihou River and the adjoining properties, would make) an excellent sanctuary for pheasants as well as ducks. At present there is no sanctuary on the Hauraki plains. When the season opens guns are waiting at every available place, an|d the birds get no chance to- alight and are kept constantly on the wing. They travel long distances to other iocalUties. With a sanctuary handy the birds would obtain a place of safety and remain about the district.

“Trout Fishing.—Fish have, not been so plentiful in the Waitawheta River this season. In our opinion the operations cf log-drawing taking place in the upper reaches of the river sicken the trout and are spoiling the sport. In the lower reaches., where the effects of flooding are not so severe, more trout are to be seen. “Pheasants. —Pheasants are certainly more plentiful this season, and members .will be asked' to consider opening the Karangahake district to shooters next season.

“Thanks. —We have to again thank those persons who came forward to render assistance in the distribution of game and fish ; also those farmers at Netherton, Hikutaia, Komata, and Karangahake who have co-ioperatqd with this club in the protection of game liberated bn their properties. Members are urged to keep a watchful eye on poachers out of season, and thotee who in season attempt to lish without a license.” I The report was adopted'. It was decided, on the motion o£ the president,, to hold a general meeting of the Auckland Council at Paeroa during the season.

In reply to Mr Maclarn the president said that he did net think there was much chance of getting a supply of Mallard duck th;sr seaisou. It was thought that there was a chance of the .Mallard duck in time spoiling tlie grey duck by crossing the breed.

On the motion of -Mr Maclai;n it | was res'oved that the committee! be empowered' to have the suggested! area between the Ohinemuri and Waitawheta rivers and Owliaroa gazetted a sanctuary for all game. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows : Patron, Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P. ; president, Mr J. Hamilton;; vice-presidents, Messrs Maclarn, A. R. Robinson, D. McKee, G. H. Taylor ; auditor, Mr W. L. Lawrence ; secretary and treasurer, Mr D. Leach ; Committee, Messrs A. B. Capper; C. Mead!, F. Dare, L. Nevin,, G.. H. Taylor, S. Nicholls, Edward Edwards, and J. Dawson. BALANCE-SHEET. In moving the adoption of the bal-ance-sheet the secretary said! that he had experienced considerable difficulty in collecting fees. Also, if the membership was increased! it would greatly falcHitate the administration, of. the club. AUCKLAND REPRESENTATION. The matter of arranging a delegate to tile Auckland Society was; left in the hands of the committee. IPRINTING OF POSTERS. It was decided to have printed 50 posters at the “Gazette” Office for the purpose of placing up on such properties as were’, allotted as game ■Sanctuaries. WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER. A hearty welcome was extended to Mr J. Dawson, who has been a member of the Auckland Society for the past ten years. A suitable reply was made by Mr Dawson. CHANGE OF TITLE. It was explained by the secretary

that a.s the local society did not hold the license fees collected thq Auckland council desired the name to be altered to tlie Ohinemuri 'Acclimatisation Club. This was agreed to by the, meeting. LIBERATION OF TROUT FRA’. The secretary explained that Messrs Dare and' Mead had given considerable time in liberating trout fry on a number of occasions, and; he thought soma remuneration should be given for their services. The members in yuesti'on stated that they did not desire to be paid for their services. It was a pleasure to be, of service to the club. It was agreed to place on record the club’s sincere appreciation, of. the services rendered. GAME sanctuaries. The question of opening game sanctuaries was discussed at length. The president said that there were so many places open that in his opinion it would be better to keep the smaller places already proclaimed sanctuaries closed. Mr Edwards contended that the smaller places should be open alternate years, and not be kept closed continuously. There were plenty of places that should be opened. It was not necessary to keep too many breed*? ing places. Sport was hard enough to obtain in the, district without imposing unnecessalry restrictions. To .Mr Dawson the president said that a license-holder c'oujd sroot right up to the boundary of a sanctuary. If a bird fell within a sanctuary it could not legally be collected.

No shooting was allowed on a. main highway.

Ou the motion of Mr Maclarn it w'as decided to close the properties of Messrs. C- Williams, L. Turnbull, W. .Walton, Wigmore, and 'Mrs R. Johnston at Karangahake for the coming season.

In regard to the Wlrihana estate at Netherton, the secretary stated that the settlers were in, favour of keeping that area closed with the exception of Mr R. Stock’s property. The total area, was about 1200 acres, and it was a. large area to be closed. The president said that there were also the properties of Messrs. D. Brown, Barrett, Sheehan, Endean’s Estate, W. F. Johnstone’s, and Pippin, in the Rotokohu district, and Messrs. B. Day, W. Hal'l:, and S. Nicholls, in Mill Roiul. Tho.se properties would be closed this season. LIBERATION OF BIRDS. It was decided to liber'ate this sea-i soul’s birds on the Rotokohu and Mill Road properties in preference to Karangahake. USE OF PEA RIFLES. A- member stated that it would; be a good tiling if the club recommended to the parent body that the use of a pea rifle during the shooting season be prohibited. It was the pea rifle that did the damage and irritated the farmers. It might mean air alteration to the existing ila.w, but at the same time the matter was well worth considering.

After same discussion it was decided to defer tbe matter until the> visit of the Auckland society to Paeroa.