ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 255, 27 September 1928, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MATAMATA BRANCH. Annual Meeting Business. The annual meeting of the Matamata branch of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was held on Friday night, when the following were present: Messrs. W. W. Livingstone (president), C. Green (secretary), D. N. Flay, Thos. Barford, J. Downie, N. Pryce, A. Bennett, R. Cameron and T. E. McMillan.

Lake Arapuni. The policy of the Auckland body in regard to Lake Arapuni was endorsed, on tl.e motion of the president. The meeting also endorsed the stopping of trolling on the lake. Mr. Barford commented that the whitebait fishing was detrimental, as it took aw: y the trout food supply. A member observed that there was whitebait in the Waihou, near Mangaiti bridge. Mr. Pryce: It is a pity they don’t go after the eels as they do the whitebait. Mr. Livingstone said the parent body was doing what it could to stop whitebait fishing in trout streams.

Hawks. Mr. McMillan moved that the Auckland body be asked to increase the price of hawks’ heads from 6d to Is, as the society had now reduced these birds of prey so much that every effort should be made to exterminate them. Mr. Pryce seconded. —Carried. The Waiomou. The meeting expressed disappointment that the tributaries of the Waihou had not been closed with the main stream. Reply to Proposals. The Auckland Acclimatisation Society replied as follows to proposals passed by the branch at the previous meeting: ) “ The remits suggested by your club were considered by the council. It was decided to close the Waiomou river next season. The council could not agree to closing a small portion of the Waihou, as it was felt that the closing of this strip would be productive of no good.

The opinion against the issue of day and ’ half-yearly licenses was unanimous. The Dominion license of £1 is considered extremely cheap; and the revenue would fall if partseason licenses were issued. The council considered that the taking of fish in May, when they were In spawning condition, is highly detrimental to the conservation of the fish for the following season. The Waihou river above Okoroire has been thrown open for spoon. “ I have noted your views in regard to Te Tapuhi block, and will interview the owners with a view to getting this property closed.”—Received. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. W. W. Livingstone * secretary, Mr. C. Green; committetman, Mr. D. N. Hay. How’s the finances, Mr. Secretary. —We’ve got a few bob in hand, £1 10s 4d. The subscription was again fixed at 2s 6d. Appreciation.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Hay for the use of his rooms for meetings. Liberations. The following liberations have been made in the branch’s district:— October 16, 1927, 10,000 trout fry; August 2, 1928, 15,000 fry; 100 Hungarian partridges; 40 pheasants. Getting Together. The president commented that a recent letter in the Matamata Record upon the relations between Putaruru and Matamata appeared to him to be very sensible. There was a certain amount of misunderstanding with Putaruru, possibly due to the fact that Putaruru was not aware of the Matamata boundaries. The Matamata charter was secured when Putaruru was scarcely in existence, and comprised some of what was now looked upon as being Putaruru territory. In future the branch should consult with Putaruru before making proposals to the parent body which might affect Putaruru interests. Moreover, if Putaruru and Matamata both supported a given remit there would be a better chance of success. The president’s views met with unanimous approval, the members desiring to co-operate harmoniously with Putaruru.