ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 3878, 29 July 1875, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of tbis body was held at three o'clock tbis afternoon, at which there were present—Meosrs W. D. Murison (ia the chair), J. }T. Thomson, A. C. Begg, hon. ace.; and Deans, manager, 'ihe manager reported th:it of the charr brought out by the Timaru, only fou'teen were left (the whole result of tbe Timaru's shipment, and representing over LIOO each), and that these, whieh were now nearly two inches long, had been removed in the hutching boxes to one of the ponds. Mr Deans also reported that there were now in the ponds of the garden about forty fish open for breeding pur- { loses—tho smallest about 31b weight, and the argest upwards of 7lb weight; and that he had already obtained 15,000 ova, and that he expects some 7,000 or 8,000 more, which will supply the Society with 30,000 eggs. It was reported that the' pheasant shooting season would close on Saturday next, and that up to date thirty-two liceenses had been taken out at the Trpasury, the whole amount of which will be available for the funds of the sDciety. Tt was desired that attention should be drawn through the Press to the fact that during the last few weeks it had come to the knowledge of the sooiety that foul fish had been taken from the Water of Leith, and that the Society would deem it a favor if any case of the sort eame uuder the notice of the residents if they would give information to it or to the police. It was resolved that the Superintendent should be recommended to open all the streams which were open for trout-fishing last year, with the exception of the Water oflLeirh, from September 15 to March 15; fishing in the Water of Leith to be from November 1 to February 1; and that certain other streams, including the Deepjand Lees Streams should ah • be opened. A sub • committee, consisting of Messrs Murison and Begg, was appointed to arrange for the distribution of the young fish when hatched out. It was mentioned that the Bill for amending the Protection to Animals Act, 1873, was now before Parliament, and the question of recommending amendments to the Bill was brought up. It was resolved that the chairman be requested to prepare a list of amendments, and that the same be sub mitfrd to the Council for approval; that when approved of they should be forwarded to the Superintendent, with a request that he endeavor to have them included in the Bill now before the House. The Rev. Mr Hare (late Secretary to Sir James Fergusson) wrote asking whether the Society would bo in a position to make exchanges for acclimatisation purposes with the Government of Western Australia. A list of animals mentioned in Mr Hare's letter, which the Government of Western Australia were willing to supply was enclosed, but it was considered that none of these were suited for acclimatisation in Otago. It was decided to hold the annual meeting early in September.