ACCLIMATISATION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5437, 19 June 1929, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION.

MEETING OF SOCIETY. REPRESENTATIVES AT PAEROA. The Auckland Acclimatisation Society last year adopted the policy of holding four meetings each year in the country districts. Meetings have already been held at Matamata, Hamilton, Te Aroha, and Thames. On Friday evening last the council held its monthly meeting at Paeroa. There was a splendid attendance of sportsmen, representing the Ohinemuri, Matamata, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Miranda. Waihi, and Thames clubs, over whom the president, Mr F. McKenzie, presided. An apology for absence was received from Mr J. Hamilton, president of the Ohinemuri Club, and also from the Hamilton Club. The financial report showed the funds to be in a satisfactory state. The Taumarunui Club wrote desiring to close part of the Wanganui River for a term, as the fish were mostly undersized in the particular locality.—Agreed to. The Putaruru Club reported that dynamite had been used by the Public Works Department in the Waimakariri for blasting purposes. Many fish had been killed. On being approached, the officer in charge gave an assurance that no further blasting would take place. It was decided to write to the engineer and thank him for his assistance. Magpies. The recent prosecution of an Auckland resident for caging a magpie was explained by the president, who stated that the bird was. certainly protected under the game laws, and the society was bound to prosecute, but they had asked for no penalty. Stoats and Weasels. Discussion arose -concerning protection of stoats and weasels under the Agricultural Act. The various societies were still carrying on the destruction of these pests, and it was hoped that the anomaly would be overcome by the removal of their protection under the said Act. Woodcock. Owing to the disturbed conditions in Greece the arrangements for the purchase of these birds had to be cancelled. Mr C. A. Whitney notified his intention to visit Ireland during the coming year, and said he would endeavour to secure a supply of woodcock from there. New Zealand kiwis had been carried successfully to Britain, and he had no doubt that vyoodcock could be transported safely. A sum of £25 was voted for the purposed. Pheasants; A difference having arisen on the purchase of pheasants from Mr Tonge, of Thames, it was decided to request a report on the matter from the Thames Club. Annual Conference. It was decided to prepare remits to the annual conference for consideration at the next meeting. Affiliated clubs were requested to forward their remits also. The Waihi delegates brought up the question of gun licenses in lieu of shooting licenses. The president explained that previous efforts in this direction led them to hold out no hope of this reform being favourably considered. Mr Johnson, of Waihi, stated that his club was desirous of closing the whole of its district next year. Pheasants were very scarce, and a close season seemed the only remedy. The president agreed, and advised the club to make application to the council and the necessary steps would be taken to close the district. Partridges. The Matamata delegates reported that the 200 partridges liberated in their district were apparently not a great success, although birds were in evidence on the adjacent hills. Mr Whitney stated that 80 partridges liberated at Helensville were doing remarkably well. Opossums. Mr Johnson also brought up the question of stocking the hills between Waihi and Whangamata with opossums. The president explained that Professor Kirk was at present investigating the effect of the opossum on native bird life, and would prepare a report for submission to the Department of Internal Affairs. In the meantime the various societies were prohibited from liberating opossums. When the Government’s intentions were made known the matter would have consideration. It was pointed out that the trapping season commenced on June 15 and extended to July 31, that the Auckland Society received 4d per skin on all catches, and that the price of opossum skins to-day was from 10s to 17s 6d each. Mr Leach pointed out that opossums had been liberated in the Mangakino Valley, behind Karangahake, 16 years ago, and it was thought that they were in sufficient numbers to justify trapping. Mr Barlow, of Matamata, an experienced trapper, said he was prepared to visit the locality.

Red Deer.

The Waihi Club also asked for information as to the obtaining of stock of red deer.

The secretary, Mr Gordon, pointed out that the Government considered deer a menace to farmers, and was taking steps to reduce the present surplus. Farmers were now allowed to shoot red deer out of season, and further liberations were prohibited. The president stated that the matter would be submitted for discussion at the annual conference.

Mr J. Cochrane, Te Aroha, stated that the present sanctuary on the Waihou River between Waiorongomai and Mangaiti bridges was unsatisfactory. A strip of one chain along each bank as a sanctuary was necessary to make the area effective.

It was pointed, out that to effect this it would be necessary to obtain

the signature of every resident on each side of the river. If this was done the council would be able to have the suggested extra area declared a sanctuary. One speaker pointed out that sportsmen at present shot near the river and frightened out the birds and shot them on the wing. Several delegates brought up the matter of allowing the same discount on sales of licenses to local clubs as was allowed the post office. The president and Mr Wohlmann expressed their willingness to support the request if representations were made to the council. „ Appointment of Delegates. The president advised the clubs to appoint delegates to the council, in order that each club would have representation at every meeting of that body. Shooting Regulations. The meeting recommended that the pegging out of stands by placing on them the name of the shooter and the number of the license should give exclusive right of use for the first three days of the season only. This would prevent a shooter from monopolising a stand when not using it. , Shooting Season. After discussion, it was decided to maintain the present period of shooting season. Lack of Ranging. The Te Aroha Club complained of the lack of ranging done on the Te Tapu block near Te Aroha. The shooting of fallow deer went on in and cut of season, and parties ostensibly in quest of pigs were known to have shot and removed deer quite openly. The club, in conjunction with the Matamata Club, desired the Auckland Society to give 'attention to this matter. It was decided to take steps to assist the club in this direction. Purchase of Hawks’ Feet. A further amount of £lOO was voted for the purchase of hawks’ feet. Shooting of Does. The Morrinsville Club brought forward the question of the permission endorsed on deer licenses to shoot one doe, which it was contended was being abused. The meeting recommended that this privilege should be discontinued, and no does to be shot. Votes of Thanks. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Leach apologised for the absence of the president, Mr Hamilton, and thanked the president, his council, and the visitors for the splendid meeting held. Such gatherings of sportsmen, he said, tended to promote a better understanding between the various clubs, and brought the club in closer touch with the parent body. During the last twenty years he had never known acclimatisation matters to be in a better condition, nor the relationship of the clubs with the Auckland council to be more harmonious than it was to-day. The president, Mr McKenzie, thanked the meeting for its cordial reception of himself and the council. He appreciated the businesslike way in which the clubs had brought theii' wants and difficulties forward, and assured them that he and the council could be depended upon to assist them in every possible way. As guests of the Ohinemuri Club the visitors were later entertained to supper at the Victoria Tea-rooms.