ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY FOR HELENSVILLE,

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 29 March 1917, Page 3

ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY FOR HELENSVILLE,

A LARGE and enthusiastic meeting was held in the Town Board Office on Friday eveuing last, 23rd inst., in connection with the proposed formation of a local branch of the Auckland Acclimatization Society.

Mr A. J. Hill was voted to the chair, and in his opening remarks said that there was a very great need in this district for such a Society, so that they could stock the country with game and the rivers with fish.

Mr A. Hammond was appointed Hon. Secretary for the new Society, and Mr Spinley accepted the duties of Assistant Secretary.

Mr L. L. Hammond, who came up from Auckland to give all the information necessary on the formation of the Society, apologised for the absence of Messrs Whitney and Ostler, owing to pressure of business.. MiHammond spoke at some length upon the advantages of Helensville having a branch Society of its own, and said that it was unnecessary to explain to his hearers that a true sportsman led a clean and healthy life. He loved to roam over the hills with his dog and gun. The Council had control of sixteen .counties, and they wanted the country Societies to affiliate with them, and the combination would be much better for everyone concerned. They had managed to raise 370 birds last year, and this year they were also very successful in rearing large numbers. He was looking forward to the time when they could double the number in a very short time. The speaker told his hearers that there would be great advantage in having a member sitting at the Council meetings in Auckland. This was a country adapted for ducks, and food had to be provided for them. Provide them with food and the birds will come.-

Now, with regard to licenses. Instead of having a game license only, there should also be a gun license issued, even if it was only 5/- per year. It would bring in a good revenue for the Society. With the innumerable expenses attached to the rearing of birds, etc., £1000 does not go very far. Make your game license 10/- per annum, and with the gun license, the amount would soon go up. What was badly wanted was combination with other societies. At present they were far too isolated.

There has always been a lot of trouble over the poaching business, but if members in the country held licenses as rangers that would soon put the evil down.

The Council had been criticised because they had been liberating the birds when too young. But the sneaker thought it was a good idea, as the birds had a better chance of thriving. He concluded by saying that the Auckland Council wanted a representative in this district, and he would be only too pleased to answer any questions that might come before him..

Proposed by Mr A. Hammond —That the new society be called the Helensville Acclimatization and Game Preservation Society. This was seconded, and carried unanimously.

Mr Hammond continued bysaying that with such a Society as this, every gun in the country would be licensed and registered, which would be a good thing for all concerned.

Mr Lambert thought it would be a grand thing to have every gun in the country licensed, as it would put a stop to the younger generation promiscuously shooting at everything they see. Mr Hill proposed and Mr Aitkenhead seconded —That the' annual subscription to the newly-formed Society be 2/6 per annum. —Carried. Quite a large number paid in their subscription straight away. The question arose as to whether the layiag of rabbit poison had affected the birds. Mr Jas. McLeod stated that he .was perfectly sure that rabbit poison did affect the pheasant, and he did not think it was any use dealing with pheasants while rabbit poison was being laid. Mr L. L. Hammond said that other game was int.r.ody.ced s sucK as partridge, which' could easily/ take the place of the pheasant-: Ths Australian stubble quail was also brought into this country, and it was not an enemy to the farmer, as it riid yiot de^roy his crops. Ue would also like to see snipe, grouse, aud woodcock introduced.

After the usual compliments to the chair, etc., the meeting dispersed.