WAIKATO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 300, 5 October 1910, Page 5

WAIKATO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the provincial council of the Waikato Acclimatisation Society was held in the Farmers' Club room, Cambridge, on Friday. A large attendance of members was presided over by Mr C. C. Buckland. The secretary reported that the society's membership now totalled over 500.

At the invitation of the meeting, Mr C. A. Whitney, who was spending a few days rabbit shooting in the district, attended the meeting. Mr Whitney stated that he was prepared to help the society in any way that lay in his power, and was prepared to donate birds from time to time. At present, however, he could not see his way to become a member of the council.

The society's district embraces nine counties, viz., Waikato, Thames, Ohinemuri, Kavvhia, Waipa, Raglan, Piako, Waitorno and Awakino. The rules adopted by the society are too lengthy for publication and can be obtained by members on application to the hon. secretary of the society. Mr E. B. Hill, Cambridge. They provide for the election of the council of the society at each annual meeting, in March, one or more representatives for each county, such representative to be chosen and elected by the members of the society resident in each county of the society's district, thus giving each county direct representation at all the council meetings of the society. The annual meeting is to be held at Hamilton during March, as being the most convenient centre for all members to attend; the place, time and date of the meeting to be advertised in each of the local papers in each county within the society's district at least seven days before the date of the meeting. It was decided to forward the following letter to the Auckland Acclimatisation Society:—"Sir, I am directed by my council to inform you the Waikato Acclimatisation Society has petitioned his Excellency the Governor to grnat the society registration over the following counties: Waikato, Thames, Ohinemuri, Waipa, Piako, Raglan, Waitomo, Awakino and Kawhia. On asking for your society's indulgence and support in establishing a local society we would ask yog to waive any regret your society may have in loss of territory for 'the good that we may do' in the furtherance of those laudable interests for which acclimatsiation societies exist. As your council is no doubt aware, there has been a marvellous increase in the population and game facilities since the running of the Main Trunk trains, and the desire for local control has arisen in the natural course of time and expansion, for instance —Mongonui, Bay of Islands, Hobsonand Rotorua, all offshoots from the Auckland society. , The sportsmen and lovers of natural history, wishing to improve and mutually consider matters pertaining to the benefit and improvement of the district, have neither the time nor opportunity to visit Auckland for meetings, whereas Hamilton now having become the distributing centre, our members centralise there several times a month for business purposes. Our members feel that with Hamilton as a centre a large membership and revenue is secured, and with the increased amount, of interest already taken and secured, promises-of sport will result in future protection and introduction of game throughout our poorer districts. The matter has been very enthusiastically taken up, and the interest throughout has considerably exceeded our most sanguine expectations, and we feel that the initiation of the Waikato Acclimatisation Society will give an immense impetus to the objects of such societies as ours.—Yours faithfully, E, B. Hill, Hon. Sec." Mr Hill has since' received a wire from the Governor's private secretary, which reads: "His Excellency is pleased to become patron of the Waikato Acclimatisation Society."