ROD AND GUN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1940, Page 7

ROD AND GUN

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY ACTIVITIES LIBERATION OF YEARLINGS. FISHING & SHOOTING PROSPECTS. The annual report of the president. Mr C. E. Grey, of the North Wairarapa sub-committee of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society states: “The year ending April 4 has been a reasonably successful one. but we cannot say that we have been able to obtain a separate licence for the shooting of pheasants as the council has not considered -this question favourably from our aspect. The new yearling pond which was completed last year has now definitely proved to be a success, which was in accordance with the views of the society’s curator, Mr Miller. This pond produced some 25.000 yearlings of an average length of 5 inches. These fish which were liberated in the spring, reached a remarkable size. This I consider to be better than liberating fingerlings. The fishing season did not open well owing to adverse weather. Fish in the Raumahunga and Waipoua are very plentiful, due to the heavy stocking. In most cases anglers report that although there is a good head of fish in the streams it is a hard job to get them to take the fly. "The swan and duck season did not open well, chiefly owing to a clear sky. consequently poor bags were secured. The ducks, in our opinion, are diminishing in numbers owing to the draining of swamps, etc, this no doubt being the reason for the poor condition of the birds shot. Even when the weather conditions were good there was still that noticeable shortage of Grey duck. The swans are'in a worse position, and in a few years the position will be precarious. Quail have been a decided failure, and will continue to be so until some other form of rabbit poison is adopted. Pheasants are reported to be increasing where liberation has taken place, but in my opinion the North Wairarapa is definitely not a suitable area, again owing to rabbit poison. Mallard ducks are doing exceptionally well, and may in the future provide some good sport. We appreciate the society’s effort in granting this area a number of birds. “Thanks are due to Messrs P. J. Borthwick and J. A. Betts for so kindly supplying livers for the rearing of the yearling fish. This arose over the society’s refusal to feed these fish after attaining the fingerling stage. Thanks are due to Mr Ivan Dale for the feeding of our yearlings during the absence of Mr Miller when away on trapping operations. To him I have also to say well done for the destructions of shags. I have personally seen some of the stomach contents of the shags destroyed and they are a worse menace than at first appears. “We have to thank Mr F. Palmer for the delivery of livers to the hatchery during the absence of Mr Miller, and Messrs C. E. Daniell. Ltd, for kindly allowing us the use of their lorry for this purpose. Thanks are also due to the Press for publicity. I sincerely thank the Committee for their whole-hearted support.”