Feildmg Acclimatisation Society

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7285, 12 October 1933, Page 3

Feildmg Acclimatisation Society

MEETING 01’ THE COUNCIL The council oi the Feilding Acclimatisation Society met ou Tuesday evening, Mr F. H. Stockwell (president) presiding. There were also present. Messrs F. P. Stevens, E. Ingram, T. Burne, E. H. Lange, C. ’Wickham (secretary), J. H. Hurdle, N. Eosoman and W. J. Alpc. At the invitation of the society Mr S. Beauchamp, of Makino, was in attendance to assist members in a discussion regarding the rearing of mallard duck and in response to questions gave some informative details concerning this breed of game bird. The visitor stated that he would be happy at any time to give the society any information regarding game birds, as he had liad twenty years’ experience in breeding and rearing a wide range of feathered life. Mr Beauchamp was accorded a vote of thanks for the knowledge he had imparted.

Notification was received from the Hawke’s Bay and Masterton hatcheries regarding the despatch of trout fly to Feilding on Friday next. The council discussed the quostion of liberation, agreeing to leave Mr Hurdle the decision as to whether tho fry should be held in the society’s ponds or liberated direct into the streams.

A lengthy circular was received from the Auckland Society concerning the conservation of Grey duck, which tho circular set out. was in danger of extinction unless prafical efforts were made to protect ithis game. The society suggested that a close season be enforced during which vermin eradication and ranging activities be vigorously pursued and to meet the costs entailed in this connection shootistsbe asked to pay £2 for their license for the season preceding tho close on. The circular advanced considerable evidence of the diminishing numbers of Grey duck, instancing what was taking place .in the Wellington and Taranaki provinces, and claimed that despite the favourable breeding grounds still existing in the Auckland province, this variety of feathered game was doomed to ultimate extinction through the ravages of vermin and the action cf sportsmen. It was contended that each shooting season witnessed the bagging of mostly young birds, and that the breeding birds were becoming wily and shifting their haunts. It was from the young game that the best breeders were obtained, and it was desirable that, steps be taken to protect them by having a close season. Befercnec was made to the fate of teal in the Waikato, where they were once numbered in their thousands and today were practically extinct and protected. The protection came too late to conserve this game, and it was suggested that, the same fate would follow the Grey duck unless immediate action was taken. Members felt, that the pamphlet was a very valuable statement of the case, but considered that the charge of £2 should be made for the. shooting season following tho close season. This would appeal more to the sportsmen than asking them to pay an increased fee before the close season.

The chairman said that as far as the Feilding district was concerned he did not. think any licenses would, be taken out. if a charge of £2 was made. The meeting then discussed t.hefisliing season, various members recounting their experiences, reporting that good fishing was available. For the most part the fish were small and rather difficult to catch, which in the opinion of members, augured well for next season. It was reported that good fishing had been obtained in the Oroua river at Apiti, where some big fish had been captured. The society discussed the report by right-of-way along river banks prevailed at this point of the river.

tlio chairman regarding the holding up of a license-holder on the bank of the Rangitikei river by a property, owner. It was agreed to inquire of the Marine .Department as to whether the .chain