GERALDINE COUNTY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1708, 8 March 1888, Page 3

GERALDINE COUNTY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the memberi of the Acclimatisation-Society was hold in the Crown Hotel, Temuke, yesterday ifteruoon, Mr A. M. Clark presiding. .BROBS AHS BALAKOI SHIHI. The following xeport and balanee-sheet was read:— -; " XbtvOoanoil have much pleasure m sab* mitting (he annuel report rod balance-sheet for the year ending 29th February, 1888. " The balance-sheet ihows that the income for the year, including the balance of £IOO brought forward from last year, amounted to £204 16s <Jd, -end the expenditure to £2O 13s 6d, leaving a balance to the credit of the society of £lB4 35., All liabilities have been piid. to JMWeti, including subscriptions outstanding, amount to £192 3i. The number of licensee issued, during the season wae 101, against 100 for the previous season. Only-six licenses were issued to schoolboys. A number of lioensei iwued by kindred societies hare been endorsed-by the Society, a fact whioh shows that the Society's waters still, maintain their prestige. Eight new members hare joined the Society during the yean This must be considered satis* factory, but it is desirable that the roll should be still further augmented, Numerone complaints hare been made to the offloers of the Society of the illegal taking and selling of fish, but *s the parties complaining were either unable or unwilling to giro direct evidence, your Council could not take legal steps against the deliflquenti. A standing reward of £lO to any person giving eridence leading.to a conviction of offenders was advertised ty the Society, but has had no •Sect. All license holders should bear in jnind the.faet that they are empowered to act as rangers, and when they discover any person taking Ish illegally should, in their own fattiest! and those of the Boeiety, at once fully repbrt'the matter to the Secretary, and be prepared to give evidence, so that the •Sender might, be brought to account. The Council did not deem it necessary to liberate any more trout, all the rivers and creeks being so well stocked, Negotiations were entered into for the purchase of a further lot of salmon,, but. as it was considered advisable, not to liberate any until after the fishing season was over, thenegotiations have been allowed to lapse. The further purehase of fish of all sorts will be a natter for the incoming Council to consider. The Oounoil is informed that the salmon liberated in the Opihi and Temuka rivers in the years 1886 and 1887, were both seen and hooked <; during the present season. No very satisfactory'information has been given on the subject, nor has any fish, answering to the salmon been produoed to your officers. Your Council can only hope that the surmises of their informants wil! durint next season be verified by the capture of a real British salmon, In accordance with rule 4, Messrs Nicholas, Mover, and Twomey retire fromtbi Council, audit will be necessary for this meeting to elect members In their

■laee, as well m in that of lb Hargreeves, who hM left thadiatritt. It ii aa well to remind members that under Bale 13 all privileges of membership cease if the annual subscription be not paid up. All liabilities being folly paid up it will be for the incoming Council to decide upon the beet way of utilising the funds in hand. Of the amount to credit the sum of £IOO is placed on fixed deposit, and does not mature until the loth September next." The Chairman said it was gratifying to hare sueh a report, and to see so many pre* sent. He would.be glad to receive any suggestions aa to what should be done with the money now in hand. He would mote the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr Nicholas seconded the motion and it was unanimously adopted. COUNCIL KJSKBIRS. The following were elected members of the Council, fix., Messrs Hint, Hioholas, Hayhurst, Mann, and Velyin. Letters were read from Mr Perry, and also from Mr Inwood, in reference to poaching, and a long conTersation took place as to the advisability of appointing a ranger. It was resolved—" That it be a recommendation to the Council to appoint a ranger," rioxiorozr o; mroxs. A lengthy conversation took place in re* ference to the protection of ducks, and ultimately it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the Connoil to decide. i Thk Cotjxoiz. A meeting of the Connoil was afterwards held. ■HOOTING HMO*. The shooting season for native game was fixed from March 29th to July Ist. For the imported game it was deoided to make the season a close season. BAKOn. Considerable discussion took place on the question of appointing a paid ranger, and it was finally deoided that the Secretary be instructed to call for application*] for the office. She Secretary was alio instructed to ascertain whether the South Canterbury Society would join in paying the expenses of a ranger. TBI 7UXDI. The question of utilising the fundi and other matters were left over to the next meeting. The meeting then adjourned to the 16th iast.