ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2210, 7 June 1870, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Acclimatisation Society was hold in the Council Chamber, this afternoon, at three o’clock. MrW. Murison in the chair. The Chairman read the report of the committee as follows : “Inlaying before the members the sixth annual report, the Council have to draw attention to the fact that the proceedings of the society to which the report relate?, extend over a period of lifteen months. By the balance sheet •which is duly audited and now submitted, it will be seen that the income of the society, from all sources, amounted to L 1437 13s 7d, and the expenditure to L 1309 I2s lOd, leaving a balance in the hand of Ll3O Is 7d. In reviewing the labors of the Council, it is not possible in every instance to show actual results, but at the srmo time, the Council can prove success as being th: consequence of many of their endeavours, as the following facts will shew : “The herd of Axis deer at Bushy Park, which ox'iginally consisted of seven, now numbers eighteen in all, and are in splendid condition. Pheasants are constantly seen, and are known to have bred in the various districts in which they have been liberated. They have been also seen in other localities, proving the fact of their having spread. The hares, consisting of a jack and two does, which were tamed out at Waihola in 18(i7, have increased, and their progeny have spread themselves over a largo extent of country, eight having been observed during a ramble of two days over the district, so that there is no doubt they are now very numerous. “ Californian quail arc known to have bred both at the Olutha and at Otepopo. “ 'darlings are plentiful in certain parts of the Province, and are often seen in large Hocks. “ The Australian magpie, known as the farmers’ friend, and the English linnet, have both bred, and the latter may bo said to be fairly acclimatised. “ Trout imported as ova from Tasmania last year have frequently been observed in the Waitati, Silverstream, and Shag Rivers. Some at the latter place have attained 12 inches in length, the year the following stock have been introduced and distributed—Pheasants, (Chinese) 17 at Coal Point, 3 at Silverstream, (5 at Otaromorao, 13 at Blueskin, o at Otakia, 2G at Tokomairiro ; (English) 6 at Pomahaka, 0 near Dunedin, Partridges, 4 at Otanomomo, 13 at Green Island, 14 at Goodwood. Fallow deer. 12 at Tapauai. “ Hares—l to Palmerston to 1 previously there. < ‘ Starlings-dO to Caversham. “To OauiiU'U Branch Society—Blackbirds, I

thrushes, skylarks, goldfinches, limlets, and starlings. “The {following poultry of first-rate quality have been introduced : “ White and grey Dorking fowls, silver pencilled and golden spangled Hamburghs, brahma pootras (light), Shanghai, Spanish, black, red, and duckwing game. “ Bred at the grounds : —Six black swans, sent to Oamaru ; five English wild ducks, scut to Kakanui. “Paradise ducks have boon forwarded to Tasmania, and a kaka to the Zoological Society, London. “ During the past year a valuable collection of seeds of forest trees (the names of which are given below indigenous to California. was procured from that country, and distributed amongst the members of the Society : —Finns insignia, Cupressum macrooarpa, Wellingtonia (sequora) gigantea ; Pinos tuberculata, Pinus Lamhcrtinna ; Picea annabilia, Arbutus glanea, LPoccdius decimeua, Thuja gigantea, Sequora semproneu?, Pious Liburnia, Pious torriqua, Abies Douglassii, Cupre-.sus Lawsoniaua. “ During the year Mr Clifford, the manager, was again despatched to Tasmania for a supply of trout ova ; his trip being oven more successful in its results than that of the previous year. At the same time he brought over ova for the Southland and Canterbury Societies. Owing to the advanced state of the ova, they were hatched out of the Society’s establishment on the Opoho Creek, aud afterwards forwarded to Southland and Canterbury. “Through the kindness of Mr W. A. Young, Shag Valley, the Council have esestablishcd a branch fish establishment on that gentleman’s property, and, under his management, trout have been placed as follows :—57, Wait at i River ; 88, Silver Stream ; 53, Kakanui; 58, Allan Stream ; 53, Shag River ; 62, Tokomairiro Pond ; 61, Waikouaiti Fiver; 75, Water of Leith; 80, Bent Harbor Creek ; S)8, Leo Stream ; 100, Deep Stream ; 75, Shag Valley, Mr Young's pond ; 101, Otepopo River; 76, Fulton’s Creek, West Taieri; 51, Kilmog Creek ; 40, Water Works Reservoir. “ The war waged against the hawks has perceptibly diminished their numbers, aud during the year the Society has paid head money for 623 which were destroyed. The Council are happy to state that a great number more have been killed by parlies who have declined to take payment. “ The Council would urge on all true sportsmen the destruction of the kingfishers, as they arc great enemies to young trout; and also wild cats, as enemies to the successful introduction of game and birds. “ In accordance with Rule 2, the Council have elected the following gentlemen life members of the Society for services rendered:— James William Temple, Walter Savillc, Capt. W. Henry, J. A. Ewen. “ In conclusion, the Council beg to thank the Provincial Government and Council for the liberal support given to the Society, aud also thank those who have assisted them by subscriptions or services rendered, an I solicit their further support in so valuable an object as acc im itisation.” On the motion of Mr Shennax, the report and balance-sheet were passed. Mr Garrick resigned Ins office of honorary secretary, and Mr Eccles was appointed in his stead. Mr Murison was re-elected chairman ; Mr Eccles appointed vice-chairman; Mr Turton treasurer ; and Messrs Garrick, T. K, Weldon, Griffeu, aud J. Fulton added to the committee. On the motion of Mr Eccles, a resolution, expressive of great regret that the Society was about to lose Mr Garrick’s services, was unanimously carried ; aud on the same gentleman’s motion, Mr Garrick was elected a life member, “ in recognition of Ms most valuable and unremitting care of the interests of acclimatisation in the Province and Colony.”

A vote of thanks to the Chairman and the Mayor for the use of room were carried.