Annual General Meeting

Forest and Bird, Volume 19, Issue 3, 1 August 1988, Page 42

Annual General Meeting

The Society's 65th Annual General Meeting and Council Meeting were held in Wellington on June 24-26. Two new executive members were elected, Peter Maddison of Auckland and Maureen Burgess of Lower Hutt. ‘Old Blue" awards were presented to Stan Butcher (Lower Hutt), Frank and Audrey Gamble (Southland), Jan and Peter Riddick (Central Auckland), Keith and Brenda Chapple (King Country), Lesley Shand (Christchurch) and Alan Ross (Conservation Department, Central Office). These framed black robin prints are awarded for outstanding work for conservation. Long time treasurer David Underwood was created a Distinguished Life Member in recognition of his service to the Society, both as an advocate for conservation and for ably managing the Society’s finances. Through the remits, the Council sought: that the habitat of endangered species be given protection in law; that more research be done on the effect of commercial fishing on yellow-eyed penguins; the Rating Act be reviewed so owners did not have to pay rates on protected land; that the Conservation Department be given more money to buy private land; that PNA surveys be published and recommendations from them implemented as soon as possible; that national parks maintain their identity and funding in accordance with the Tongariro Declaration; that aircraft within national parks, wilderness areas and wildlife reserves be | restricted to 3000 ft above sea level. New subscription rates were also fixed by the Council. The Sanderson Memorial Address was presented by the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, and focussed on the question of how Maoris relate to the environment and to conservationists.