ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 4 March 1927, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday. There were present —Messrs T. R. Maclcay (chairman). C. Young, W. Boys, L. B. James, G. Reid, E. Ilardcastle,- J. McDonald, W. Grant, F. Adams and L. Story. SHOOTING DEER. The Department of Internal Affairs forwarded a copy of regulations regarding the taking of deer. In reply to Mr Adams, the secretary said fallow deer could not- be taken without, a-permit being first obtained. It was also necessary for sportsmen to bring a note to the secretary from the owner of the land stating that the deer were a nuisance. A permit would then be granted. Mr Adams said that in the Albury district the deer were being rapidly thinned out, and it was thought that a check would have to be made sooner or later to prevent extermination. Mr Hardcastle considered that steps should be taken to . .prevent sportsmen shooting deer without a permit. It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to insert an advertisement to that effect. TRESPASSING. The Timaru A. and P. Association wrote forwarding a copy of a resolution passed at a recent meeting asking for legislation to prevent trespassing on freehold or leasehold property. Mr James said that now rabbitskins were about a shilling each, the farmers were not so keen to give permission to shoot rabbits as was previously the case. Mr J. McDonald said that as' a farmer of about 20 years standing, he had not experienced much trouble with trespassers. Many years ago men used to be transported for shooting rabbits, and he did not think that a reversion to the old game laws was altogether desired. Mr James said that he did not think that the letter very much concerned' the Society. It was resolved that the letter be received.

CONTROL OF LAKES. The Department of Internal Affairs advised that provision was being made in the regulations relative to the game season, making it illegal for any person to use any power boat for the taking or killing of imported or native game. At present they were not aware of any provision under which the Society could be given control over boats used on Lake Alexandrina, but would investigate the matter and report. Mr J. McDonald said that a remit calling for control over the lakes should be brought up at the next conference.

The chairman stated that the remit would need to be carefully gone into. In many of the big lakes boats were used by settlers for the transport of wool and supplies. There were, however, a number of smaller lakes used only for acclimatisation purposes, where some control would be desirable. TREASURER’S REPORT. The treasurer, Mr W. Boys, reported that the credit balance at last meeting, £lO9/10/11, had been increased by the sale of licenses amounting to £2S. Accounts passed for payment amounted to £75/10/3, leaving a balance of £62/0/8. In addition there was also a deposit at the C.F.C.A. amounting to £3OO, and £27/10/7 on deposit at the Post Office, making a total credit of £389 11s 3d. The report was adopted. RANGER’S REPORT. _ The ranger, Mr J. S. Main, reported that all the rain rivers had been carrying too much blanket weed and too little water to provide good fishing during the month. Occasionally anglers in the Opihi have had fair sport on the fly, and fish up to 121bs have been landed. Of late. Lake Alexandrina had given good sport with rainbow and brown trout, and fish taken weighed up to 141b3. During the past month the salmon have been running in the Rangitata but owing to floods no salmon were landed until the 20th of February. In the ni j e days in which fishing was possible, over 300 salmon were killed by rod and line, and quite a number landed weighed from 25 to 321bs. There was every indication of a record'Vim of salmon in the Rangitata this season. The report was adopted.