FISH AND GAME

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 430, 11 May 1937, Page 4

FISH AND GAME

ACCLIMATISATION WORK Review Of Year’s Activities Th e 1936 shooting season could be considered quite a satisfactory- one from the Society’s point of view, and also from the shooters' viewpoint, states- Mr E. G. Jones, president of the Stratford Acclimatisation Society, in his report on the year’s activities to be presented to to-night’s meeting. The results obtained so far as pheasants were concerned, had- prov. ed that the policy adop’ed by the society during the past few years had been on the right lines. Reports from shooters particularly at the end of th e last season informed the society that large numbers of birds were left and further reports received jutt prior to the opening of th e present season were to the effect that ths past summer season, despite th© wet weather, had been a good breeding season. The council desired to place on record its thanks to Mr Rich, staed't for rearing pheasants at no cost to t.he society. Damage by Floods. The extent of th© damage caused by the floods during the past two years-, particularly to the Mangianui River, had only been fully realised | during th© past fishing season. The ■ council was now faced with the necessity of heavy and consistent stocking of this river in an endeavour to eventually bring it back to the stage of being one of the best fishing rivers in Taranaki. The Palea river had fished well during the season, some excellent fish being reported. The heaviest fish reported d-uring the season was taken in the Kahouri stream and weighed Unfortunately the successful angler was not eligible to enter the fish in the societies’ competition, which was won by Mr G. Jacobsen, Midhirst, with an entry of 91bs 2ozs. The society purchased 100,000 ova during the past season and these were hatched and reared at the Durham Road hatchery. This quota of ova wa s reared to over six months of -age, and the first liber, ations were made during la’e Febru. I ary and March and the final batch I were in excellent condition and well -grown. Losses during liberation I were practically nil. All streams in | the socle’y’s district had fish liber- ' a ted in them and with -the rivers in excellent cond tion the young fish should do really well. Honorary rangers bad been aetve during the year, and the thanks Of the society were due to those persons who had assisted in that direction. Federation Proposals. Members would be aware that, the special general meeting of members held recently agreed to the proposals brought before the meeting with the object of joining the proposed Federation of Acclimatisation Socle'ies, embracing the Taranaki, Stratford, Hawera, Wanganui and F: ilding Societies. The federa'ion would also be taking over the Taranaki Society’s hatchery if all societies agreed to the proposal. The federation would be sure to deal with th© hatching of pheasants and game birds for its con. sti'iuent bodied, and the advice given to the special meeting of the Strat. ford society by Mr A. J. Davey was to 'the effect that one game hatchery, provided it was located in a suitable place, would be quite capable of dealing with the requirements of all so-jcle-tie® The federation would also | institute various- schemes of vermin i control and destruction. i Tlie council desired to thank memI bers of the society and other helpers , who assisted in the liberation of fish | and to also thank all persons who | have assisted the society in its work during the past year.