ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 27, 1 July 1874, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon at three o’clock, at the Public Library. Present—Sir Cracroft Wilson (in the chair), Messrs Marshman, J. C. Watts, Russell, H. B. Johnstone, J. S. Farr (hou sec.), J. B. Jameson, hon E. W. Stafford, and Dr Campbell. The chairman said that he had conveyed forty-four trout from the Acclimatisation grounds and safely deposited them in Che Heathcote river, near Cashmere. He had turned them loose in the upper part of the river because it had been stated that some persons were netting the fish in the lower part of the river. The chairman next drew attention to the fact that he had seen a hen pheasant exposed for sale in the shop of Mr F. Lane, Colombo street, which was contrary to the law. Mr H. B. Johnstone thought it was matter for the police. Even in Auckland, hen pheasants were not allowed to be exposed for sale. He would move that the attention of the police be called to the fact that a hen pheasant has been exposed for sale in Christchurch,

Mr J. P. Jameson seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. A letter was read from Mr C. F. Barker, one of the rangers, suggesting that the list of liberated birds should be printed in a small hand bill and circulated, and that each ranger should be supplied with a copy of the Act.

The hon secretary said that Mr Blackiston had promised that each of the rangers should be supplied with a copy of the Act. A letter was read from Mr W. Hislop, of the Domain Timaru, asking to be supplied with some of the seeds of American trees which Dr Hector had sent from Wellington. Mr Hislop stated that the magpies liberated at Timaru had increased, but he had only seen one skylark; The hon secretary said that he had just received another packet of seeds from Wellington, Mr H. B. Johnstone objected to all the seeds being handed over to the Government gardener instead of being handed to the members of the society.

The hon secretary said that he acted under a resolution passed by the society. Mr Armstrong was to rear the trees and hand them over to the society. Mr Johnstone said that he did not blame Mr Farr, but he thought the resolution ought to be rescinded. Hon E. W. Stafford said, that if Mr Armstrong did as was said, he could sec no objection to his having the seeds. Mr Jameson moved—“ That the garden committee be requested to supply Mr Hislop with a portion of the seeds lately arrived from California, and that after the members of the society have been supplied the remainder of the seeds be handed over to the Government gardener.” Dr Campbell seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Messrs W. Hislop, Timaru Domain ; James Storrie, junr., Southbridge ; and Alexander Dunbar, junr., Lincoln road, were recommended to his Honor the Superintendent for nomination as rangers. The honorary secretary read a letter which had been published in the “ Daily News” recommending the introduction of prairie chickens into the United Kingdom. This letter had been forwarded to the honorary secretary by Mr Macbeth, of Christchurch. The prairie chickens were stated to weigh 51bs each, and to be suitable for moorlands and commons.

The Curator reported that the receipts for the month had been £l2 lsßd. Estimated expenditure for July £l6. The Curator also stated that the month had been prolific in disaster. Some dogs had killed some of the pheasants, and in endeavoring to catch the deer six of them died. The Chairman said that the deer were not the property of the society, which had nothing to do with capturing them'. Mr H. B. Johnstone said that the deer were claimed by Mr Cavcrhill and the Curator, and the society had passed a resolution that they had no interest in the animals, and declined to have anything to do with their capture. Mr Marshman moved that the resolution referred to be published. The motion was agreed to. The following is a copy resolution passed on 28th April, 1874 ; —“ That as the funds of the society being limited, and as it appears that the society has really no interest in the deer or kangaroo that the matter ,be left with Mr Caverhill, and the curator, who lay claim to them as being their property.” The Chairman said that it would have been better if the i words “ right or title” had been used instead of the word “ interest.” Mr H. B, Johnstone said that the public would show their interest in the welfare of the animals which were left if they subscribed, and provided for turning out the wallabies that were left, which might be turned out amongst the manuka scrub on the plains. Sir Cracroft Wilson here left the chair, which was taken by Mr Watts Russell. The sum of £l6 was voted for tha current expences of the ensuing month. The Council then adjourned.