ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 94, 27 April 1876, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council of this Society w.as held on Friday last, at the office of the "Otago Daily Times.' There were present : Mr W. jl>. Murir son, president (in the chair); and Messrs Holmes, Tewsley, A. C. Begg, Maitland, F. C. Fulton, and Arthur.A report from Mr Deans was read, showing how birds had been distributed, and suggesting that steps should be taken for disposing of. those on hand. It appeared that the following birds have "been caught, chiefly by Messrs. Deans and Bills : — -154 stirlings, 192 greenfinches, 33 hedge-sparrows, 6 yel-low-hammers, 5 blackbirds, 3 English ducks, 82 Californian quail, and 87 skylarks, most of which had been distributed. Some correspondence from Palmerston, requesting that a district should be proclaimed for coursing hares, was considered. The Chairman stated there was a strong desire upon the part of the settlers that the district should be open for coursing hares for a period of six months, but he learned from the Act that the season could not be extended beyond the three months— May, June, and July. It would be necessary to fix a license-fee. After a discussion the following motion moved by Mr Begg, was carried: — "That his Honor the Superintendent be recommended to proclaim the months of May, June, and July an open season for coursing hares within the area bounded by the Waikouaiti River on the south, the main north road on the west, and the Horse-shoe Range on the north; the license-fee to be 505." It was also agreed that the Superintendent be respectfully recommended to procure an amendment of the Protection of Animals Act, 1873, whereby the season for killing hares might be extended to the months of March, April, May, June, July, and August. Mr Maitland thought that the settiers in the neighborhood of Waihola and in the surrounding districts would also be very desirous of obtaining the same privilege as the settlers at Palmerston.

The Chairman said the society did not take the initiative in a matter of this kind. In the case of Palmerston they acted in accordance with the expressed wishes of the inhabitants. If the people in any district were desirous of being allowed to course, what they would have to do would be to make application in the same .way, and the Society could then give effect to their recommendation if it were thought advisable. He thought it was as well that the society should wait for a request. It was resolved to ask the Superintendent to proclaim the months of June and July an open season for killing cock pheasants within the same district as; last year— -license fee to be 30s. Some discussion took place regarding the wanton destruction of imported birds. One member stated that on a recent holiday he saw no less than ten persons with guns in the neighborhood

of Green Island popping away at every bird, large and small, which came in their way. A general opinion was expressed that the evil might be checked if a person carrying a gun were obliged to pay a license fee, although of course it would be necessary to make an exception in favor ; of persons using guns . on their own properties for the purpose of shooting rabbits, &c; The following resolution, proposed by Mr Fulton and seconded by Mr Arthur, was agreed to : "That steps: be at once taken by the society to procure the insertion of a clause in the Protection, of Animals Act, imposing an annual fee of at least one pound for every person carrying a gun." Mr Begg reported that he went up to the Lee Stream five or six days ago, and had a day's fishing in order to ascertain the condition of the fish, and to be able to form an opinion as to whether the season might not be extended next year. He caught eight fish weighing from fib. to 2^lbs. They were in very good condition, and he thought that next season they would be able to keep the streams which were some distance away from Dunedin open until the lst May, making a season of about seven months. He did not think the fishing this year had harmed the fish very much. The roe in the fish which he caught was about two-thirds ripe. That would make the spawning about the end of July.

The Chairman thought it was well that Mr Begg had mentioned this matter, because it might be the means of procuring the opinions of different gentlemen throughout the country on the subject. Mr Begg said there was no doubt that the spawning season here was much later than at home. The months of May and June in this country corresponded with the spawning season at home, but these fish were not known to spawn here before July, and sometimes in August. The meeting then adjourned.