ANNUAL MEETING.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8170, 30 April 1895, Page 3

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting was then held, at which new members, who had paid tlieii subscriptions since the 31st of March, vvcio also present as follows : Messrs W. Bisseit, P. B. Dandio, Jas, Milligan, Robt. Mahan, Jno. Mitchell, Jaa Knight, Chas. Swiuard, J. Spiers and C Jones. The minutes of the last annual .meeting were read and confirmed. The annual report was read and adopted. Mr Sinclair aiked if shooting licenses issued in Dunedin entitled the holders to shoot deer in the Waitaki district. The President explained that fishing licenses were issued by societies, but licenses to shoot deer were issued on a different footing, but he did not sco why their Society should not issue licenses. He noticed that it had been suggested that the whole of the fees for deer shooting be given to the caretaker at Hawoa, so that the Otago Socioty would reap no direct advantage Air Sioclair said he knew that as many deer wore shot in the Waitaki district as in the Otago district, but if the fees were to go to a caretaker it would be no use taking any action. Mr Thomson said every deer shot cost the licensee L 25, and there were very few I people in Oamaru who would care to go to that expense. It was not worth their while I to bother about the deer, as in Otago they had erected shelter houses, etc., for the stalkers, but he did not think they would be prepared to do thu in Waitaki. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Dr de Lautour gavo a history of the inception of the Society by the late James Wheatly, and of its formation iuto a recog- | ni«ed society by others later on, and of its progress up till now. He was gl id to see so many present, and they would listen to what thoy had to say with pleasure. Mr Jno. Mitchell said they had a grievance. They recognised that the Socioty had done something in assisting fishing, but they thought something might be done to increaso the number of game for shooting Another thing was that the hour of meeting was inconvenient for a number of members, and if the meetings were held in the evening it would be more suitable. Ho thought that some of the new members might be put on the council to assist in carrying these things out. Mr Dennison said if game were to bo introduced hawks would have to bo done away with. Mr Aitken explained that the Society had not lost sight of the introduction of game, but poisoned grain, hawks, etc., had Killed the game off, and it was no use introducing game under such circumstances. Mr Mitchell asked if it would not bo possible to get the Government to take the protection off hawks in certain areas. The President said the Agricultural and Pastoral Association had decided that hawks should be protected, and so had the runholder. The Society had to consider others as well M themselves, and they could not obtain permission to destroy hawks. It was therefore no use introducing game under these circumstances. Mr Mitchell asked if lomething could not be done for the protection of game by the appointment of rangers. The President said they had tried everything Mr Denniion said the small farmer was not in favor of the hawk being protected, and he never knew one kill a smull bird like a sparrow. Dr de Lautour said in 1888 there were over SO, shooting licenses taken out, now there was only one. There was a direct losa of revenue to the Society, but the Society recognised the futility of introducing gatno under the circumstances, Tlio meetings were held in the day time for the convenience of country members. Mr Mitchell said others would become members if the meetings were held at night. Mr Milligan thought the meetings might bo held alternately — at night and in the afternoon. The President then explained that new members who had paid their subscriptions siucc the 31st of March would not be entitled to vote. Mr Mitchell asked how they were to know until the meeting was advertised. There were really only five members who had paid their subscriptions before the tim.o specified, and why should they who hal paid after the time be placed on a different footing to those who had paid that day. The President said it was not to be thought that those who had suddenly tiken an interest in the Society should be placed on the same footing as those wjio had paid their subscriptions for years, especially as that aption would be against the rules of the Society. Mr Mitchell said the action of the Society would do the Society.no good. Thoy were trying to crush them for no good reason whatever. Perhaps in twenty years after this the new members might be able to lay claim to as good work as those who had acted before them. The President said he would be inclined to take nominations for office from now members, but they could not vote for these nominations. Mr Mitchell said the Council had not always adhered to its rules, and gave two instances in point. Tho notices of meetings were not always in keeping with the rules. Captain Crawford said every meeting was properly called, and it was a piece of impertinence for those who were not members to call in question his work. Mr Mitchell said there was no use tho secretary losing his temper. Ho would remain at the meeting till put out. The voting then took place, as follows : Members of Council elected— l)r do Lautour, Meisrs Aitken, Glen, Dwyer, Mackintosh, Crawford, Bruce, Milligan, Sinclair, Jones, Familton, and Vallange. Tho fol lowing country members were appointed : Messrs T. Y. Duncan, G. Dennuou, A. Thomson, and D. Sutherland. Dr de Lautour wai elected president Meun Geo, Ptnniion »ud H, Aitken, vloe president! | C*pt»ln Crawford, ieor«t»n Iftf tftMUW | Mr R» 9. fttifc, auditor,