ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 290, 30 April 1913, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING.. The annual meeting of the above society was held last evening. Mr. J. E. Wilson (president) occupied the chair. , Apologies for absence were received from . Mr. Chas. Young (Tariki), Mr. W. Ogier j. (Inglcwood) and Mr. Austin Uewley. j Tlie annual report and balance-sheet 1 (as already published in these columns) was read. The president, in discussing its adoption, remarked that the society had made good progress during the year. Especially was this the case with the l fishing department. A large number of j splendid healthy young fish had been' liberated, and the whole of the rivers ; in the district must soon afford excellent and abundant fishing. The shooting department had not been the success the council had anticipated. Stock ; birds had been secured, from which some ' 400 eggs had been obtained. The hatch- j ings in some cases were good, but the i young birds had not thrived. Until the | society was stronger financially, enabling better appointments for pheasant rear- j ing, the speaker did not expect a great' deal of success. The question of subcommittees in the outlying portions of, the district was one that the president j hoped to see carried out during the en-1 suing year. In all these districts anglers were taking a keen interest in the society's work of providing the rivers with fisli, and were not only anxious, but willing, to form themselves into subcommittees. The finances of the society were not in the most flourishing condition, but the year had been a very expensive one. When the grant promised by the Government was paid during the coming session, the finances would be easier. He had no doubt that next seasort would see a much larger number of anglers on our streams, which would, of course, help the finances considerably. He trusted that now the society had made such a good start, more enthusiasm would be shown.

Mr. Johnston, in speaking to the adoption of the report, paid a tribute to the good work done by the society's caretaker (. Mr. Seal). He regretted the non-success of the pheasant-rearing, but until the society was stronger they could not hope for great results. The secretary stated that he thought the only chance of rearing pheasants was to send the eggs out to settlers and have them hatched and reared in the country. Tl>3 experience of the past year had proved that the birds were too delicate to stand handling. Although a fair number had been hatched, the

youngsters did not thrive. The present hatcheries were quite inadequate for good results. The report and balance-sheet were then

adopted. The caretaker thanked the meeting for the many expressions of eulogism for his

year's work. He had done his best, not only because it was his duty, but because he loved his work as a hobby. Much interest had been shown during the year in the work at the hatcheries, and during the rearing of the fish many, visitors attended the society's premises. Officers for the year were elected as follows:—President; Mr. J. E. Wilson (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs; W. L. Newman and C. Young; secretary and treasurer, Mr. 0. X. Firth; council, Messrs. A. H. Johnston, L. B. Webster, E. Whittle, W. Ogier, L. Kae and A, Bewley; auditor, Mr. W. P. Nicoll.

On themotion. of the president it was decided that any person becoming a member of the society, as a licensee, to shoot game or take fish, who shall in any subsequent year cease to be a licenseholder, shall thereby cease to be a mem-

ter of the s'ociety. It was decided, on the motion of Mr, Whittle, that the society make an ex-

hibit of trout ova and - fry at the forthcoming Winter Show of the Taranaki Agricultural Society. It was pointed out that at other shows exhibits of this nature had proved a great attraction. The question of arranging with the Stratford Acclimatisation Society for the appointment of a ranger to work for the two societies was discussed. It was

pointed out that the area over which the two societies had jurisdiction was too large for one man to do effective work. \

It was decided that a ranger be appointed for one month to help put a stop to the poaching of birds. The ranger will be appointed as from May 1. Mr. Whittle proposed that the Council forward the following remit to the annual conference of societies: "That the attention of the Government be directed to the increasing number of casualties arising from the indiscriminate use of pea-rifles and other firearms, and that it be a recommendation for legislation to be introduced providing for a gun tax or license. —Carried.