GERALDINE COUNTY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1863, 9 March 1889, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annua) meeting of the »bove Society was held yesterday afternoon, Mr A. M. Ohrk, President, in the chair.

MINUTES,

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

REPORT. The secretary read tho following re-

port : "The council has great pleasure in sub-

mitting the report and balance-sheet for the year ending 28th February last. The bslance-Bheet, after providing for all liabilities to 28th February, 1889, showtty. a credit balance of £123 9s. During the' year the Society have liberated 1200 salmon and 900 ealmon trout in the Temuka and Opihi rivers, ar a coßt of £54. The Society have during the greater part of the year retained the services of a paid ranger, and the result has been that the rivers have been carefully witched, and parties caught poaching have been brought before the courts. Your council regret to say that in spite of their efforts to abate the evil, poaching still goes on to a cettain extent. With a view to further check the evil, a number of gentlemen volunteered their services as rangers, and they wero duly appointed to the number of 14. In accordance with Rule 4, Messrs Iowood ; Nicholas, and Havhurst retire from the council, bat are eligible for re-election. The council have pleasure in reporting that the roll of members duriDg the past year has increased from 16 to 26. The number of licenses issued shows a alight reduction on that of previous year. All liabilities have been fully paid to date, and the assets, including outstanding subscriptions, amount to £l4O 9a." The President said he thought they ought to congratulate themselves on the -, result of the year's working. The officebearers deserved evey credit for the way they had worked to protect fish, and he thought the appointment of rangers was a wise thing. The £74 Bpent in protecting fish was very wisely spent. He moved the adoption of the report and balancesheet. The motion was seconded by Mr Flint, and carried unanimously. ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS. The election of three members to fill the vacancies on tho council was then proceeded with, the result being that Messrs J. Murray, E. Outten.and J. T. M. Hayhurst were elected. THE RANGER AND THE LASOON. The question of retaining the services of the ranger, and the opening of the lagoon were left to the Council. RAN«ITATA RITER. Mr Flint, by request, made an application to allow fishing in the Ilangitata for a month longer, as io the earlier months of the season the river was not fit to fish in, owing to the snow water discoloring it. Mr Gaza said he had been requested to bring this forward, but owing to not being a member himself ha had asked Mr Flint to do so. Ho had.also been aeked to suggest that salmon be put in the river. Mr Aspinall said they had put 1000 salmon in the Raogitaia river. The President said he did not think ifc was much good in putting salmon in that river. The salmon would go out in the season when the Bangitata was clear, and when the river got tbjck again the salmon would be coming back, and they would not care to face it. With regard to the application for extending the fishing season, it was decided that it could not be done ; and as to the application re salmon, it was decided to await the result of the experiment in the Waitaki river, where they have been putting in fish three and four years old. THE GAME SEASON. A letter was read from Mr Farr, of the North Canterbury Society, to tha effect that the shooting season should be opened on the 15th of April, but another letter was read from Mr Perry, stating that the South Canterbury Society would not consent to the 15th of April, and insisting that the 30th of March was the most suitable time. On the motion of Dr Hayes, seconded by Mr Gray, it was resolved that from tha 30th of March to the 30th of Jane be the shooting season. SALE OF SAKE AND «UN LICENSES. Dr Hayes said there were men in the district making a living out of shooting and Belling ducks, and he wished to know what could be done with them. Mr Aspinall said it would be better to have a meeting of delegates from all the societies to discuss the subject. The President said that it wonld be right to have a gun license. Mr Aspinall said that it was a question that all the societies were interested in.

It was resolved—" That the Secretary write to kindred societies with regard to gun licenses, and licenses for the sale of game; and also with regard to a meeting of delegates to discuss such matters."

HONOEAKITJM. On the motion of Dr Hayes, seconded by Mr Flint, it was resolved that the honorarium to the Secretary be the same as last year. The meeting then terminated.