Presentation to Mr L.F. Ayson.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4869, 5 November 1894, Page 3

Presentation to Mr L.F. Ayson.

There is no doubt' the success which bus attended the efforts of the I Wellington Acclimatisation Society, is in a great measure due to the untiring efforts of the Curator of Hie Mastcrton Hatcheries, Air k P. Aysoii, who it is well-known, spares neither time nor trouble, in all weathers, to procure the necessary ova to hatch for distribution, not only in the local and other streams within the Society's district,' but to his efforts is duo the increasing l revenue which the. Society derives from the salo of ova and young fish shipped to Australia and different Societies in the North Island, and latterly the West Const of the South Island,

Moreover the work of a Curator is most trying, as much of the work has tOjbe done in mid-winter, and it

is one continual paddle in wet at all hours of the day and niq-ht, the hatching out process being one that requires the most unremitting care and constant attention. That Mr A'yson has succeeded in carrying out his arduous duties is evidenced by the perfect state in which the Masterton Hatcheries are kept, and the high appreciation •in which he is held by the Council and members of the Society and by disciples of Izaac Walton in various parts of the North Island.

' Practical proof of the appreciation of his services was given on Saturday, when a party consisting of Messrs W. H. Beetham, John Hidwill, Morris, and Hawkins, (members of the Council), and Mr A. J. Rutherford (Secretary to the Association), together with the Rev, J, C, Andrew, (an enthusiastic fisherman, and the first to introduce trout to this district), paid a visit of inspection the ponds, and after the different varieties of fish in the hatching house and breeding ponds had been seen, together with the ducks, pheasants, etc., the party adjourned to a sheltered spot in the grounds.

Mr Jiecthara said they had met to offer some mark of their appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Aysoii, and called on the Rev. Mr Andrew as the oldest fisherman in the district to make the presentation.

Mr Andrew said it gave him great pleasure to comply with the I request and complimontedMr Ayson 'on tho perfect maimer in which the ponds were kept, They were, he said, tho admiration of visitors from all parts of the Australian Colonies and the Society was to be congratulated in having an enthusiast for Curator, The work of collection and hatching was no sinecure, The rev, gentleman told of the first attempt lie had inii.de to get ova from Canterbury, when ho was met with the statement that the rivers were so cold that no one would attempt the collection of ova. They were indebted, however, to the-Southland Society who had ascertained their dilliculty, and kindly forwarded 2,000 ova which wero hatched out at Brancepeth. He regretted the purse, which had been contributed by anglers between Wellington and Napier, was not a heavier one, but the matter had been hurriedly got up, and it was only that morning, while in the train from Wellington, that ho himself had heard of it, 14e had much pleasure, however, in handing Mr Ayson a purso of fifty guineas, and expressed the hopo that Mr Ayson would long continue to further the interests of anglers. Mr Bcctham said' very little had been left for him to say but he would like to state what, perhaps very few knew, and this was that they were very much indebted to Mr Ayson and his family, for their assistance and attention to the Society's interests.

ilr lieetbam also paid -a high compliment to the Bailway Department, particularly Mr Cobourne, tlie stationmaster, at Mastorton, and to Guara Turner, who were both present by invitation. Very great attention and assistance had been given by them in tho distribution' of the fish. He hoped to soo tho Society supported even better in the future than it had been in the past., Mr Ayson made a suitable reply and stated that to him the work was one of lovo as well as duty, and he i hoped the Society would go on and prosper. The success of tho ponds was due not to him, but to the energy ■of the gentlemen who formed the Council of the Society.' , Mr Ayson then reterred to tho manner in which another Society had gone backward and attributed it to too many small societies being formed in Die same district, This should be to them a practical lesson and he considered that Hie Government should assist in forming largo districts and oppose any districts being broken into sinallorones, This presentation had been a complete surprise.to ,>;him and he thanked them most sincerely for thou 1 very kind wishes, and tho handsome appreciation of his services,