ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1918, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society was held last evening, the president (Mr. G. G. Grover) occupying the chair. The following report was sead: —The year has been a quiet one as far as active work being done in fish-rearing, liberation of fish and game. It will be remembered that last year closed rather unsatisfactorily as, on account of lack of funds, the hattihery had to be closed down and all active operations discontinued- The balance-sheet disclosed liabilities to the extent of £4O. The present balance-sheet shows a credit balance at the bank of £59 l'2s Cd. After outstanding accounts of £0 5s are paid, the society will start the ensuing year with a cash balance of £53 7s fid. The receipts for the year were £99 3s fid, which, added, to the balance in the bank at March 31, 1917, of £ll 9s 4d„ gave the sum of £llO .Is lOd revenue to work on. The expenditure amounts to £SO lis 4d, principally debts Incurred in the previous year. The only debts incurred for the last year were advertising the shooting and fishing seasons. It is not anticipated very much work, if any, can be done this year. With the prospective income to he derived from the ensuing year's shooting and fishing licenses, it is hoped the funds of the society will bo in such a position that ths stocking of streams can be undertaken in the near future. The fishing season proved most disappointing, and few good bags were reported. Floods in the Stony and Opunake rivers caused great damage to the fish, and until we are able to go in for re-stock-ing, good sport cunnot be expected. Game is reported to lie fairly plentiful in the district, and a good season may be looked for.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Tlie following officers were appointed for the year:—President, Mr. G. G. Grover (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs W. I.- Newman and W. B. Fussell; committee, Messrs A. 11. Johnstone, .1. Scanlan, L. B. Webster, Bamsey, Rea, and A. Bewley ; secretary and treasurer, Mr. 0. N. Firth; auditor, Mr. F. H. George.

Mr. .T. E. Wilson was elected a member of the society, and it was resolved that a resolution of "appreciation be tendered him for the valuable services he lias given the society in the long years he has been a member. For many years Mr. Wilson had been president of the society, and it was mainly owing to iiis untiring energy that good angling bad been procured in the society's district. A good (leal of discussion ensued as to the future policy of the society. At the present juncture it was not considered good policy to re-establish the fish and bird liatcherics, but to wait until the society's finances were' in a more flourishing condition. At present the society had a good credit at the hank; but this would need to be augmented considerably before a progressive policy for the rearing of fisb and birds could be undertaken. The secretary was voted an Jionorarium of £5 5s for his past year's services. Votes of thanks to the retiring officers concluded the meeting.