WITH ROD AND GUN.

Wairarapa Age, 8 March 1927, Page 2

WITH ROD AND GUN.

SPORTSMEN’S INTERESTS. MEETING OF ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY. The first annual meeting of the North Wairarapa branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society was held last night, (Mr. J. H. Griffiths presiding t>vex an attendance of ten license holders. The annual report, which was adopted, stated that since the forming of the Society in August, 1926, four committee meetings had been held and all acclimatisation matters had' received earnest consideration. A grant of £5 had been made to the branch by the Wellington Society. This had been sufficient for incidental expenses. The fishing season had not ’been as good as was anticipated owing to the unsettled weather experienced prior to Christmas. Some good bags had been taken on the worm, but fly fishermen, with few exceptions, had only medium catches. The vigilance exercised by the rangers and the police was apparent in the decrease of poaching which was not nearly so rampant as in previous seasons. During the year 700 yearlings and 80,000 brown trout fry had been liberated in the streams in the district. The early part of the shooting season was disappointing -*jr duck shooting. Owing to the very dry season a number of the usual feeding peaces had dried up and consequently sportsmen had to look further afield for their game. However, some good bags were obtained, and in a few instances the limit was taken. The coming season was being looked forward to as ducks were reported to be numerous. The thanks of the branch were expressed to the Wellington Society for its consideration of the branch’s requests; to Mr. H. T. Byrn, for his offer to transport free of charge pheasants for liberation in the district; and to the police and others for their assistance during the year. PROTECTION OF PHEASANTS.

The Committee’s action in recommending the Wellington Society to protect for three years the pheasants lib-

erated in the North Wairarapa, was confirmed. The chairman stated that these birds usually were liberated just before the shooting season. Consequently if they were not protected they would not have the chance to mutiply. Mr. Brockett questioned whether the pheasants would flourish. The cover was gone and they ran a further risk from rabbit poison. Mr. Barton: “From the effect the poison is having on rabbits at the present time, I don’t think there is much fear of them dying from that cause.” There were any amount of places, he said, providing cover, and the protection would be well worth trving. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following committee was appoinred: Messrs. M. Meredith, F. C. Brockett, E. F. Barton, J. H. Griffiths, 11. T. Byrn, E. Cresswell, W. H. Saunders, G. Eaton, R. J. Barton, F. W. Pointon, R. C. Drummond, L. Brown; delegate to Wellington Society Council. Mr. W. H. Saunders.

Air. Griffiths and Mr. Saunders were re-elected chairman and secretary respectively.

A vote of thanks and appreciation was accorded the chairman and secretary for their services during the past season. It was decided to apply to have the camping fee of 10s at Taupo, payable to the Government, abolished.