Acclimatisation and Game Preservation Society, PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 480, 10 June 1919, Page 1 (Supplement)

Acclimatisation and Game Preservation Society, PAPAKURA.

annual REPORT. GENTLEMEN, I beg to submit tor your consideration the first annual report of this Society. The number of members enrolled at the first meeting was sixteen—of these one resigned and one left the district; one new member has been added, and several are eligible for election. No meetings of the Council were held, the routine business being dealt with by the president and secretary. It is to be hoped that a keener interest will now be aroused in the work, and meetings held more frequently. Your representative attended all the regular meetings (and two special meetings) of the Auckland Acclimatisation Council during the past year. At all times he was treated with extreme courtesy, and his experience in acclimatisation matters and knowledge of local conditions in country districts proved of much value. Game Licenses During the season of 1918 only a few licenses were sold in Papakura, and fewer still in other parts of the district. This is a matter which demands serious attention, for the only fair distribution of birds in a district is on a basis of the of the number of licenses issued. If men are allowed to break the law and shoot indiscriminately it will be almost impossible to re-stock what is admitted to be the best game district near the city. At the present time the cost of raising birds is very high, and the least shooters can do is to support the society bv purchasing licenses. PHEASANTS Since its inauguration the local Society has received eighty pheasants for distribution. Acting upon the recommendation of the last meeting, these were placed in suitable localities, by Mr. Middleton.of Brookby ; Mr. J. R. Wilson, Paparimu; Mr. J. H. Walker, Mr. R. McCorquindale, Ponga; Mr. .T. Kelsall, Ramarama; and by the secretary, in a suitable farm in Clevedon district. Several young hen-birds have been placed in a closed area, and next year efforts will be made to provide a further sanctuary. Dr. Brookfield and Mr' Jas. Slack are to be thanked for their kindly interest in allowing the use of cars for conveying pheasant" FISH. The matter of stocking a few streams with rainbow trout fry has received careful attention. Unfortunately, the first consignment forwarded from Rotorua was liberated just before a heavy ilood, and no doubt these young fry would be swept away A second lot was received, and some fifty thousand have been successfully liberated in Hay's Creek, and in the upper waters and tributaries of the Wairoa River. Through the representations of your delegate the Auckland society had these watert and the upper part of the Maungatawhiri River, above the gorge, reserved for fly-fishing only. Some fine fish have been taken in this stream, and with systematic stocking some good fishing in most of these streams may be expected in a few years.

The thanks of the Society are due to Messrs. J. R. Wilson, of Paparimu; Mr. Holt and Mr. J. H. Walker, and Messrs.Trimmer and Kelsall for their gratuitous assistance in distributing fish. GENERAL. Your representative has broiyrht before the Auckland Council »everal proposals of im-