LOWER WAIKATO SPORT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 123, 15 August 1927, Page 10

LOWER WAIKATO SPORT

WAR ON SHAGS AND HAWKS Messrs. C. Whitney, president, Savage, Allen and C. S. Gordon, secretary, of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, paid their annual visit to the Huntly Rod and Gun Club on Thursday evening last and were welcomed by a record attendance of members representative of the whole of the district. In presiding Mr. Whitney went into details, touching every item of interest to the sportsman of today, coupled with useful suggestions for bettering the society’s future sphere of industry. He said £250 was voted last year for the destruction of hawks and this amount was speedily swallowed up, and a further £IOO voted. In connection with shooting stands it was decided that a recommendation be made to the Department of Internal Affairs to have these erected one month before the shooting season opens, properly labelled by the owner, and the number of the licence endorsed thereon, thus carrying out the principle of “one stand, one gun, one man.” A remit from Thames regarding decoys'and distance to be placed from shooting stands was received only, the majority of members being in favour of not allowing the 25 yards limit, as now standing, to be interfered with, but it was decided that favourable support be given a proposal to shoot all classes of game during May and June, and cease in July to give sitting birds a chance. The council agreed on the fly fishing area in Purnui stream, near Te Awamutu, as suitable for that purpose. Mr. Alex McKinnon strongly pleaded for fry for Lake Rotongaro as an ideal place for liberation, being free from eels in any great number. Prior to 1907 young fry thrived in that water, but the disastrous floods of that year ruined the good work done. A definite move of war is to be undertaken this year against shags on Lake Hakanoa, and it is hoped that with a big driving party the rookeries will be shot out in the middle of laying season. * At the conclusion of business an adjournment was made to Mr. T. Stephenson’s dining-rooms, where supper and a korero were held. Mr. Whitney and his officers were tendered a special vote of thanks for their instructive addresses.