ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3130, 9 July 1881, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A well-attended meeting of the members of the Acclimatisation Society was held in the Council Chamber this morniug.

Mr Tanner was voted to the chair, and stated that the last general meeting of the society was held in June, 1879. The miuutes of that meetiug were read.

A letter from Mr Sutton was read, referring to the doings of the society, and suggesting that a further order for Japanese trees should at once be sent. The letter also stated that there was a fixed deposit at tbe Bank of New Zealand, and suggesting that it should be continued.

A letter from Mr Handyside wa3 read, referring to the proposal in the Wairarapa to introduce weazels, stoats, etc., for the purpose of keeping down rabbits, and warniDg the society against pursuing such a course.

An approximate statement of accounts was read from the chair, showing that the society had a credit balance of £<>0, in addition to a fixed deposit of £200 at five per cent. It was stated that the last importation of trees were sold at a clear profit of

£99 9s 7d. The revenue for shooting licenses during tbe last two seasons amounted to £491 Is Id the amount paid during the same period for the destruction of hawks and shags was £265 12s 6d, leaving a profit on this portion of the society's transactions of £225 8s 6d.

The Chairman, referring to the amount expended in the deatruction of hawks, said that the committee had come to the conclusion that the saving in pheasants did not justify them in incurring such a great expenditure, and the reward had been discontinued.

Mr Fitzßoy asked to be informed o the sources of the society's revenue in addition to the issuing of shooting licenses,

The Chairman stated that no annual subscriptions had been received since March, 1878, and tbe secretary had instructed Sergeant Mahon not to apply for any more subscriptions, as the shooting license would cover membership. Mr Bennett said he could explain the reason of there being no balance-sheet. Mr Williams had been authorised to spend an amount of money, and Mr Sutton was not aware of the amount which had been spent. The general meeting should have been held in May, but owing to the absence of Mr Williams it was postponed.

Mr Fitzßoy said it appeared to bim that the secretary should have been informed as to the state of the funds. He considered that Mr Sutton had been a most unsatisfactory secretary, and if he could not attend to the affairs of the society it would be well to appoint another.

Mr Coleman said that no doubt the money was being spent in a most satisfactory manner, but this was an annual meeting, and the members wanted information which was not forthcoming.

Mr Fitzßoy moved that they commence the society de novo, and proceed to elect fresh office-bearers.

Mr Miller moved that Mr J. N Williams be cbairnfan of the society, Seconded by Mr Shrirnpton, and carried,

Mr Birch proposed that Mr Fitzßoy be secretary and treasurer. Seconded by Mr Coleman, and carried. The following committee was then elected :—Messrs Tanner, Shrirnpton, Sutton, Burke, R. P. Williams, Miller, and Birch.

The meeting was proceeding to discuss the question of importing weazles, &c, when our report left.