TARANAKI ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.'

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 279, 4 May 1915, Page 8

TARANAKI ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.'

ANNUAL EEPOKT. The annual report of (lie 't'aranaki Acclimatisation Society, to be read r.t the iiiimwl mouthy this evening, is as i'olYonr. committee has much pleasure in presenting (ho forty-first annual report, re;- the .vcir .udhig :;i;,t :.!aiv!i,''i:;i,-,, and congratulate members on the result of the work dune. Finance.—On referring to tins balance-sheet it will be ob-

served the revenue for the year was C:l'M 3s. The figures are encouraging, showing an increase both hi fishing aiid shooting lieoiii-w, which, added to the balance carried forward last year, (jives a total of .C.T2O 15s. The expenditure amounted to .0249 !)s Kd, but an amount of .£l9 IS.i 8d still shows as accounts outstanding. However, when all .liabilities are, satisfied there remains a credit balance of £Ol Cs 801 to start the now yearns operations with, (iood work lias been accomplished at the hatchery. One hundred thousand brown trout ova passed through the curator's hands, also the same quantity of rainbow. A'ory little mortality was experienced, the fry hutched proving \i:ry strong and healthy. Eighty-six thousand brown trout fry were liberated and tin; balance of 12000 are now in the hatchery and will be liberated as yearlings. Of the rainbows 31,000 have been liberated, and the balance, 10,000, are held to be released as yearlings in the spring. Another attempt was made to breed pheasants from the birds in the pheasantry, but results were again unsatisfactory. Seventeen dozen eggs were obtained. The majority were distributed to farmers ami members, but, with the exception of one brood, non success was the result. The fishing season was a really good one, and anglers express theui.-elves well satisfied with results achieved The liberating of so many yearlings is answerable for this success, and if the plan is continued it will not be long before all the streams are well stocked. Reports to hand are encouraging for the shooting season, as there seems to Uo a good number or birds about the districts. Pheasants are fairly numerous, and in some places the quail are proving a pest. The best thanks of the Society are due to Mr. Seal, our curator, for the very efficient work he has done. A more enthusiastic and energetic ollicer it would be hard to obtain. The result of his good work is making itself evident in the improved fishing conditions now enjoyed- on the streams. Illicit shooting to a considerable extent is still going on, and will continue to do so until the fines inflicted on offenders are more severe. In the last case brought before the Court, shooting ducks "out of season, the absurd fine of £1 wa3 inflicted.