TAUPO ROD & GUN CLUB

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 32, 20 August 1952, Page 5

TAUPO ROD & GUN CLUB

COMMITTEE MEETS Main items of interest at the renent bi-monthly meeting of the Committee of the Club were as follows: — It was reported that no reply had been received as yet from the Conservator of the Wildlife Division at Rotorua in reply to a request from the Club that the number of pheasant liberated in the Taupo District should be made available. Members stated that since the close of the season a number of pheasants had evidently been liberated, but it was generally agreed that a more unsuitable time for liberation could hard!y have been chosen . IA letter from the Putaruru subbranch of the Auckland ation Society requested the Club to assist in any way possible to unite the - Rotorua, Putaruru and Taupo districts under one shooting and fishing licence. The secretary was 'nstructed to reply stating that ef forts had already been made towards an amalgamation of the Rotorua and Taupo Districts under one licence, but that it was most unlikely that the Internal Affairs Department would consider taking over cofttrol of the area administered by the Auckland Acclimatisation Association. ?

In connection with the Taupo War Memorial Hall Association, it was felt that as the Taupo Rod and Gun Club had been formed to represenx anglers and sportsmen in negotiations with the Department, & that no functions whatsoever were conducted, a cash '-rtribution would be the only possible means of ass^'stance. It was agreed upon a show of hands that a donation of five guineas be made to the fund. Remits to be presented to senior officers of the Wildlife Division of the Internal Alfairs Department at the conference to be held in November, included the following: That when trout fishing season dates are eventually amended, the Lake and rivers should open and close on the same day. That the limit of trout taken shouM he ten, and the regulations should 1 enforcea T.terallv.

That pheasant should not be liberated in the Taupo distri t earHer than late September, or alternatively, not later than early April. That a progress report be submitted at the November Conferen00 on the results obtained to-date, and the conclusions drawn, as a result of tho re.-oarch. cpcrations being conducted by the Department' officers working in the Lake Taupo area. That^the officers be requested to advise as to pirogress in connection with the Minister's assuranee that Chukor would be liberated in the Taupo area. That the Department be asked what steps are being taken toward ihe amalgamation of the Rotorua and Taupo areas under one licence, or alternatively, a revision of the existing boundaries. That spent, senile fish, commonly known as "slabs," should be netted at river mouths and culled by qualified persons, preferably rangers. That the Department be asked why no report has been received to date on the contents of the stomachs of shags sent to Wellington aftep the highly successful organised drive held in July of 1950.

Delegates chosen to attend the conference were the Club President, Mr L. Cheal, the Vice-President, Mr Alan Pye, and Messrs L. Stephenson and Gordon Hardy, committee members, together with the Secretary. Finally, it was decided that the Secretary request the Department to onranise a shag drive, at whic'h the Club would guarantee a minimum of 20 guns to cover a specified area. These birds, which undoubtedly take a heavy toil of the lake's trout population, appear to be on thp increase.