ACCLIMATISATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1922, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION.

THE TARANAKI SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society was held last night, Mr. G. G. Grover presiding. Particulars of the annual report were published in yesterday’s issue. The balance sheet showed a credit of £159 13s sd. The hatchery and other items brought the total assets to £354 12s 9d. There were no liabilities. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president congratulated members on the position of the society. He remarked that it was only a few years since the members had even considered amalgamating with other societies or other methods to enable them to carry on. In fact, they had hard struggles. Nov/ they had a new hatchery fully paid for, and capable of dealing with a quarter of a million fish per year. Mr. Grover mentioned the fact that the proposals for the number of ova to be secured this year showed a reduction of 20,000 compared with last year’s quota. He explained that this had been done on the advice of the curator (Mr. Bell), and the idea was that they would be able to handle a lesser number more satisfactorily. The report showed that 70,000 rainbow ova had been taken in the year. This was due to the fact that' the Government had offered them fry from the Rotorua hatchery instead of a subsidy. The society had accepted the offer, and received a first consignment of 30,000 fry. Then the Government decided on the second occasion to send the society the balance as ova. These, of course, were only one-quarter of the value, and much correspondence had passed over the matter. The present time was not very opportune to ask for Government assistance, but the society intended to take up the matter again later.

THE NEW HATCHERY. The new hatchery had been a great success, and it was a source of satisfaction that so many willing helpers had come forward. Mr. T. Morris had donated all the pungas required in the construction. In the liberation of fish the society had re* l ceived assistance from all sources, including many Maoris. They owed a debt of gratitude to all these helpers, and also to the persons who assisted with cartage. One peculiar feature in the balance-sheet was that the society had received 5b 7d from the Government as a proportion of the opossum licenses. The society did not know why they had received this, and were writing for information.

The sanctuary at Tataraimaka was doing well, and the settlers in that district were determined in seeing that the reserve should be protected. The question of providing game for the holders of shooting licenses was a difficult one, and the society would be glad of any suggestions in this direction. Mr. Grover recalled that efforts in various directions to introduce game had not been successful. Partridges had not been a success; probably hawks were the cause. Pheasants became more scarce with the advance of settlement, and the consequent clearing of undergrowth. He did not know whether shooters would like the society to buy pheasants as the funds permitted, but in any case this would be only a drop in the ocean. He understood the Government was making enquiries regarding game suitable for acclimatisation, and probably it would be better to wait for the receipt of this information. Mr. Grover expressed the society’s appreciation of the work done by the curator (Mr. Bell) and Mr. Bowen. He said the society owed these members a great debt of gratitude for their voluntary work. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was seconded by Mr. C. M. Hill, and carried after a brief discussion.

The following officers were elected: President, Mr. G. G. Grover; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. W. J. Bell and J. P. Burton (Opunake) ; council, W. S. Bamsey, J. Duckworth, F. N. Wbitcombe, C. M. Hill, and L. J. Rea; auditor, Mr. T. Shaw; secretary, Mr. Vai Duff. PROCURING GAME. Regarding the provision of game for shootists, Mr. Douch said he did not think the liberation of pheasants would be of any use. The odds were against these birds, and probably weasels and stoats accounted for many. Last season many of the pheasants liberated on the coast were found dead. He thought the society might consider importing game from America or elsewhere. The day of the pheasant seemed to be past. The president said the law allowing a land-owner to carry a gun was one of the big obstacles, but the Government would not hear of instituting a gun license. Another member remarked that in his opinion one reason why feathered game did not get a chance was that there was nothing else to shoot at. The district was fortunate in not having any rabbits, but it was unfortunate from the shooter’s viewpoint. Mr. Hill expressed the opinion that tLe society was hardly in a position financially to do much for shooters. Mr. Bell suggested that the society should secure two pairs of Canadian geese from the Canterbury' Society. The incoming council was recommended to communicate with other societies with a view to importing game; also to take into consideration the purchase of Canadian geese as suggested by Mr. Bell. GENERAL. In recognition of his services to the society, Mr. E. Douch, who is removing to Stratford, was elected a life member. The secretary was voted an honorarium of fifteen guineas.