STRATFORD ACCLIMATISATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 34, 10 June 1915, Page 2

STRATFORD ACCLIMATISATION.

| ANNUAL MEETING. j j At the annual meeting of the Soc- I liPty hist evening the President (Mr ( |\V. P Kirk wood) presided, and there , were present: Messrs J. R. L. Stan- , lord W. J. Morrison, H. Campbell, , C Massev J. T. Martin, E. Townley, ,1 L Riera,' P. Hunter, R. Mace, G. Hunter. An apology for absence of I Mr AW. Budge was presented. |i i i REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. |, l Tli' report was read as follows: ! Gentlemen,—Your executive have to report a successful year's operations of the Society. The financial position is very satisfactory, and in relation to ( previous years compares very favourlablv. During the year over 100,000 brown trout fry from the Hakataramea hatcheries, on the Waitaki river, South Canterbury, were liberated m | the streams adjacent to Stratford and the policvof increasing the annual purchase of ova is responsible for a large increase of fish in the streams stocked The increase is perhaps most noticeable in the Patea river, and not only 'in the number of fish but also in the increased average weight. From the results obtained a further increase in the purchase of ova would appear to be desirable, but to carry this out, it will be necessary to increase the pond accommodation. As usual the ova and young fry have received the careful attention of the custodian, i]Uiss Jones, the loss of fry being represented by only a small percentage. .The pheasants purchased for liberation did not thrive as well as heretofore and in consequence, the number liberated were not as many as last year. The Society will have to consider whether it is desirable to continue purchasing pheasants for liberation in view of the heavy costs en- | tailed and the small number of birds .liberated. During the year the fea'thered enemies of game and fish, to wit. hawks and shags, have been destroyed in about the same ratio as in previous years as indicated by the amount paid out for hawks and shags feet. Your executive deplore the annual raids made upon game and native birds in the Egmont National Reserve. With the continuance of poaching in the Reserve, it is only a matter of time when game and native birds will be entirelv destroyed. With close population and felling of bush in the province, the National Reserve is rapidly becoming the only sanctuary 'for game and native birds in TaraLaki, and if the birds are to be immune from' molestation, drastic steps will 'need to be ,aken. The thanks of the iSociety are due to honorary rangers 'acting on behalf of the Society for the |protection of sportsmen's interests, 'also to Mr A. W. Budge for caring for 'the pheasants prior to liberation. The balance-sheet (already published) was taken as read. On the motion of the President, seconded by Mr Morrison, they were adopted. 'ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS President: Mr W. P. Kirkwood (unanimously). Vice-presidents: Messrs L. Riera, J. R. L. Stanford. Executive: Messrs W. J. Morrison, C. Massey, J. T. Martin, C. Walsh, J. S. Lyons, H. Campbell, F. Whittle, N H. E. Abraham,, and P. Hunter. Delegate to Conference: Mr W. P. Kirkwood. REMITS TO CONFERENCE. I That the Government be asked to provide adequate protection for game and native birds in all sanctuaries. That the Government be asked to proclaim an open season for native pigeon. GENERAL. The aeLion of the President in ordering 100,000 Brown Trout ova was jendorsed. - A vote of thanks was passed to Miss Jones (caretaker) for her duties, and the sum of £2O was passed. Messrs Cannon and Co. were accorded a vote of thanks for services to the Society.