ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3314, 18 October 1919, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MEETING or TAIHAPE BRANCH. The ann.ual meeting of the Taihape branch of the Acclimatisation SOoi€'tY was held last night, there being a disappointing attendance. It is~hard to‘ understand the apathy shown by fishers and shooters in this "district in the branch, the ac-':*.\-ities and benefitsof which they are only too willingto‘ ‘take advantage of without in any Way contributing to the “spade work” of the Society. However, those who were present are thofough eritliusiasfs. Mr A. L. Arrowsmith occupied the chair. ' The Chain-man said the work of the branch had been considerably interferred with by the war, find the epidemic. The number of licenses issued had been well kept up, and grow larger‘ every year. This year 52. fishing‘ licenses had been issued, though it was not er-editable that only nine out of those 52 persons had exhibited sufficient interest inithe Society to a.t'tend its annual meeting. He apologised for the unavoidable absence :of Messrs Cartier, Fulton, and Powell. Reviewing the season, Mr Arrowsmith said there did not appear to be very much to report on in the past‘. Personally, he found the shooting not as good as formerly; the birds appeared to begoing back into the bush. Two hundred and fifty yearling tn-out arrived last Saturday. but the consignment was in very bad condition, and only 36 fish were left alive. «

Mr Loughnan said when the fish arrived in Taihape they -were half dead, He had at once taken steps to resuscitate them, but unavailingly. It xv-as very disheartening. The water on arrival was pexrceptibly tepid; the tem--pcrature of’ the day had something‘ to do with this. “ . A general discussion tookvplace on the matter of the transport and libera; tion of fish and fry, Mr Arrosvsmith remarking -that if the “sports” would support the brancha little: more Wholeheartedly, they "could pay a man to go down the line and look after" the fish during transit. ' c ' T The folloiving oflicers were then elected: Chairman, Mr Arrowsmith; secretazry, Mr R. J. :Loughnan; committee, Messrs Cartier, Whittle, Smart, ' J} Qrmond, Pitt, andflones. ' " The -subscription was fixed at 5/‘ yearly. , This being all the formal business, a general discu's§ion on matters con-«A cerning the branch took place. It nvas emphasised as desirable “thatindividual -members should canvass for additional members. Thatthose who hook out licenses should -contribute 2/61 towards helping‘ the’ Society along, and‘ provide better spo'r't froni year t'o year... The advisability of putting rainbow‘ trout, when available, into the Moawhaugo River was also pointed‘ out. Quite a long ‘discussion took place‘ on the question of providing troughs. or tanks for the cultivation of fry and’ a. receptacle in which to place yearlings until ready for distribution. It was decided that the secretary should Write ‘to Mr Miller and get the necessary information. in this connection. This procured, a mooring of the branch is to be held to further consider the matter. Mr Loughrian ‘reported that his efforts to procure pheasants had been. unsuccessful. . Opossums werc.repol'ted to have beenseen around Ruaiiui way. The question lOf certain miller-s de--positing sawdust in streams Was‘ brought up, and a specific ‘case tvas mentioned, but as the ofiend:::*—'was located in the Wanganui district, it was decided to write to that body, drawingattention to the fact. A vote of thanks to the chair brought the meeting tea a chose. ,