ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 426, 30 December 1911, Page 5

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

REPORT ON WAIKATO PETITION. The Aclimatisation Commission, which recently heard evidence in regard to the petition for the registration of the Waikato Acclimatisation Society, report that after leaving Auckland, and prior to sitting at Hamilton, the members visited the fish hatchery and pheasantry at Okoroire belonging to the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, and found both establishments in excellent order. In the fish hatchery there were large numbers of healthy fry (both brown and rainbow trout). No evidences of dying or diseased fish were found, and the condition of the birds was healthy. In the larger ponds there were a nmxber of yearling rainbow trout. which looked particularly healthy, as did also the two and three-year-old stock. The pheasantpens were well kpet, and extensive additions were being made for the reception of the large number of young birds it was expected the curator would rear this season. Already 200 young birds had been hatched. The breeding birds appeared to be healthy and in good order. The following was the stock in hand at the date of the commissioner's visit: — 20,000 rainbow fry and 14,000 brown fry, which were to be distributed within 10 days days after the visit, making a total of 34,000 to be distributed; 75,000 rainbow fry, 31.000 brown fry, 9000 American brook trcut fry, making a total of 115,000 fry for yearlings; 4200 rainbow yearlings,, 1500 brown yearlings, and 600 rainbow trout three years old. The game on hand in the breeding pens cornprised 37 hen pheasants, 10 cock pheasants, four mallard ducks, and two mallard drakes. There were also 200 pheasant chicks, from two days to two weeks old.

Taking, seriatum, the several matters we were appointed to inquire into we respectfully report our opinion as follows :

1. We are unanimously of opinion that it is not expedient to divide the Auckland Acclimatisation district. 2. The commisssioners cannot recommend that the Waikato Society should be registered.

"From the whole of the evidence tendered and from their own personal observation the commissioners were convinced that the work of acclimatisation within the Auckland Society's district was being conducted in a satisfactory manner, and had been so conducted during the past five or six years, the period to which the commissioners limited the scope of the inquiry.

"The evidence showed that the revenue received by the Auckland Society was on the increase, and the commissioners are of opinion that the work of acclimatisation can be better conducted by one strong societv than by two weak ones. It was proved that the subscription to the Waikatn Society was the sum of la per annum, and that at the present time the society is indebted to its secretary in the sum of £10."