ACCLIMATISATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5414, 22 April 1929, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION.

THE OHINEMURI CLUB. ANNUAL REPORT. The following report by the secretary of the Ohinemuri Acclimatisation Club was read by Mr D. Leach at the club’s annual meeting on Saturday night :— “The past year has been quite satisfactory, with the exception of duck shooting, which proved very disappointing. ■ Stormy weather ushered in the opening day, and the immense amount of water throughout the swamp area afforded the duck a safe retreat. Sportsmen, however, . will find compensation during the coming season, which opens on May 1, the birds being more plentiful as a direct result of the failure last season. i Mallard Duck. During the year 24 Mallard duck were allotted to the club and liberated on the president’s farm at Karangahake. These have , come along well, and may be seen quite at home on the Ohinemuri River between Karangahake and Paeroia. Shooters are earnestly requested to protect these birds so that they may multiply and afford sport in the - ’future. Pheasants. Members are no doubt aware that a new policy concerning pheasants was inaugurated during last year. The Auckland Society decided to allot supplies of pheasants only to those clubs which secured an area of over 1000 acres of suitable country, such area to -be a properly gazetted sanctuary. * The committee" got to work, and was successful in making suitable arrangements with the various owners of the farms in the Rotqkohu valley. This area has been gazetted, and will be closed against all shooting for a term of years. Sanctuary for Pheasants. ■ With the closed areas at Karangahake the club now possesses a sanuctuary extending from Karangahake to the Tirohia quarry. The splendid results obtained at Karangahake on a small area are evidence that in the near‘future the club may hope to possess in its district pheasant shooting equal to any district in the Dominion. ’■ Forty-four pheasants were received and liberated in February of this year on the new sanctuary. The birds were in perfect condition, and should winter well in the protected hills and valleys of Rotokohu. “In view of the fact that the club may, with the consent of the owners, open this area for shooting at the end of two or three years, it will be necessary in the meantime to make arrangements for another sanctuary before that time. The committee suggests that block of land bounded by the Ohinemuri and Waitawheta rivers from their junction to a line extending from the Owharoa Falls, embracing the farms on the plain and including what is known to sportsmen as Franklin’s Farm, now occupied by Mr . C. Harris. Several of the propertyowners have already expressed their willingness to assist the club, and no difficulty need be anticipated. The matter of opening all other temporary sanctuaries will now have to be considered. Pukeko. It is to be regretted that the Auckland Society was unsuccessful in its efforts to secure an open season for pukeko. These birds are increasing in numbers, and special protection is at present certainly not necessary on the Hauraki Plains. Partridges. Fifty brace of partridges were allotted for liberation on the area controlled by the Ohinemuri, Waihi, and Thames clubs. Fish. Fry numbering 25,000 was received in August last, 5000 being liberated in the Komata stream and 20,000 in the Waitawheta River. The fry arrived in excellent condition, and the liberation was undertaken by Messrs Dare and Mead, of Karangahake, to whom the thanks of the club is extended. Fishing in the district has been Very fair, and trout are increasing in numbers, particularly in the Waitawheta. Since the cessation of operations, by the timber company the river is again in good order. Owing to the Railway Department’s decision to charge freight on all fry, the Auckland Society has advised that all allocations of fry will be reduced for the coming year. The chief ranger, Mr Routledge, advised the club, in order to secure better results, to erect feeding ponds, • so that the fry might be held for' a time, and liberated at from five to eight' months old. Mr Routledge offered to superintend the erection of the feeding races and supply instruction and'advice. The estimated cost is about £5 for material, and if members could see their way to assist with labour the proposal is worth earnest consideration. There is no doubt that better results will be obtained by this method than by the present one of placing the fry direct into the river. ■ Meeting at Te Aroha. In May last year the Auckland Society held its regular monthly meeting at Te Aroha. The club was represident, secretary, and Messrs S. Nicholls and J. Dickson. A meeting was also held at Thames in November, the president and secretary and Mr J. Dickson being present. The country meetings bring the affiliated Clubs'into closer contact with the parent body and create mutual understanding. As a result the parent body obtains an intimate knowledge of the several districts and their wants, while the club members become better acquainted with the council, its j methods, and its work. Finance. Owing to some members being in arrears the balance-sheet this year shows a small debit. , • Members are urged to take a keen interest in the work of the club and endeavour to enrol new members when possible, not only to help finance the club activities, but also to create

greater interest in acclimatisation matters so that sport will progress in the district. The thanks of the club are due to the Auckland Council for its consideration of the club’s wants during the year ; to the chief ranger, Mr Routledge, whose attention to matters under his control in the district has been consistent and capable ; to all members who assisted in the liberation of fish and game ; and to the farmers of the district whose consideration and privileges make it possible for the shooter and angler to indulge in sport.” A full report of the meeting will appear in our issue on Wednesday.