GERALDINE COUNTY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2391, 27 August 1892, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the council of the above society was held at the Star Hotel, Temuka, on Thursday afternoon. Present—Messrs A. M. Clark (in the chair), Dignan, Murray, Quinn, Cutten, Aspinall, and Pinckney (secretary). COEEESFONDENCE. Correspondence was read From the Commissioner of Crown Lands, asking for the opinion of council as to the necessity for reserving rights of access (for fishing purposes) to Crown lands at the mouth of the Rangitata river.—The council was of opinion that there was no necessity for such reservation.

A good deal of correspondence was read relative to the netting of the Mackenzie lakes, a proposal which the Government on the representation of other societies had not favorably entertained.—A letter written by Mr Aspinall (the late secretary) bearing upon the subject was read, and it was generally considered that he had fully set forth the reasons why the lakes should be opened for netting.—On the motion of Mr Quinn it was resolved that the president and Mr Cutten reply to Government correspondence thereon, and again draw attention to the very urgent necessity for opening up the lakes for netting, and on the motion of Mr Murray it was decided that a copy of Mr Aspinall's letter upon the subject be forwarded to Mr Rhodes for his information. EEGULATIONS FOE TEOUT FISHING. A copy of an order-in-council detailing the proposed regulatio is for trout fishing in the Eastern Aeelirnaiisation District, South Island, was laid upon the table, and the various clauses considered seriatim. It was suggested that licenses should be issued on the following scale : —Ladies', ss; boys under 16 years of age, 10s; adults' season licenses, 20s ; visitors' monthly, 7b 6d. The council disagreed with a proposal to issue licenses at 12s 6d for the fishing period following December. In connection with clause 9, which refers to the pollution of streams, it was suggested that the words "or flaxmill refuse " be added after " sawmill refuse." The »ecretary was instructed to convey the suggestions to the Marine Department. THE MILL DAM. The chairman made a personal explanation relative to a proposal that had been made the dam at Messrs Aspinall & Co.'s mill, which it was alleged prevented trout from making their way to the upper spawning beds. He understood that Mr Aspinall was aggrieved, being under the impression that the proposed visit to the dam was to have been made without his knowledge. He assured Mr Aspinall that such was not the case. It was inconvenient for members of the council to visit the place on certain days, and arrangements could only be made at the last moment. It was always intended that Mr Aspinall should be notified of the proposed visit, and those interested trusted that lie would noc only give permission but would join any party that might be made up. Mr Aspinall detailed the circumstances as they came to his knowledge. He had heard of the proposed visit from outside sources, and, as a member of the council and the°owner of the land, he felt considerably hurt that such a visit should have been suggested without consulting him.

Some conversational discussion ensued upon the matter, and ultimately Mr Aspinall stated that he should be happy i;o allow any authorised committee appointed by the council to inspect the dam at any time. He stated, however, that for over a month not the slightest check had been placed upon the travelling of the trout, and further that the dam was always down from Saturday night to Monday morning. Sundry accounts were then passed for payment, and the meeting terminated. Later on, and before all the members dispersed, Messrs Young, Langdon, and Cliff entered the room as a deputation to confer with the council upon the same subject. Mr Young explained that they came by invitation of the president, and had been waiting some time. The chairman having left, the council could not go hit > the matter, which then dropped,