ACCLIMATISATION NOTES.

Shannon News, 17 July 1923, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION NOTES.

■ ♦ —; —: According to the Acclimatisation Society's report, an Indian sportsman, the Shrimant Sampatrao Gaikwad, a brother of the Maharajah of Baroda, India, having a few days to fill in at Wellington, made a dash for the Paraparaumu Forest Reserve some weeks ago* and under the guidance of ranger Bould secured a very acceptable 11-poibter on his first stalk. A very fine stag carrying a heavy crown was carefully stalked on the second day, but night fell at a critical moment, and the stag was lost. The stalker, a keen sportsman, declared that fie thoroughly enjoyed his first taste of the New Zealand forest, which would not, he trusted, be his last.

• The Acclimatisation Society reports: Fishing: The «eason was not a good one generally. The Otaki river is getting better every year, and it is suggested to stock this fine stretch of water heavily next season. The Waikanae as usual, has plenty of fish in it, but mostly small ones.

Game-Shooting: The past shooting season was good in some respects. Ducks were very numerous on the many lakes in our district and some good bags were got. Hare are numerous - everywhere. Quail have nearly all disappeared, as only an odd pair are seen now and again. . We would urge the council to purchase us some of these fine sporting. birds as we have plenty of country suited to them, and think that with fresh blood Ve might help to increase the few that are left. Pheasants are doing well where we liberated them. Quite a number were shot in the past season, and the prospects for the coming

season aregood. Deer Stalking: There are some good heads at Paraparaumu this year, but most of them so far have evaded the stalker. Two eleven pointers and two ten pointers were shot at Paraparaumu during Easter. The committee this season have made a great effort to destroy as much vermin as possible, and have paid out on 145 pair hawks and over 100 pair shags. We suggest that the-bonus for hawks be increased to sixpence per pair of feet.

I “The 1922 report of the Otago Society states that a shag will consume nine fish, of six to twelve inches in length per day: working 365 days in most years, each bird would account for 3,285 fish, if it coirld take them. - This may sound like an exaggeration, but after allowing for large deductions, the fact remains that the greatest-en-emy of the trout is the shag. Eels and seagulls also take a heavy toll. A 161 b. eel caught at Eketahuna had five good-sized trout inside, three of which were photographed: the other were rather too ripe. It is hoped that all license holder's will destroy any of the above when the chance occurs.” —- Extract from Acclimatisation Society’s annual report.