ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 149, 25 November 1874, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon at the Public Library. Present:—The Hon J. T. Peacock (in the chair), and Messrs Jameson, Johnstone, Marshman, Wallace, Wm Wilson, J. 8. Williams, Dr Campbell, Sir Cracroft Wilson, and Hon E. W. Stafford. The chairman reported that the deputation appointed with reference to the encroachment of the Domain Board fon the society’s grounds, had waited on his Honor the Superintendent, and finding him absent had left a letter for him. Subsequently, a favorable reply had been received from his Honor, and the men had been removed. The chairman also stated what had been done with the salmon cage (which has already appeared in print), and added that the fish so far, were progressing satisfactorily. While he and Dr Campbell were at New Brighton attending to the salmon cage, they saw a pair of white swans with two young cygnets. Mr Stafford desired to explain that the secretary to the society had addressed a letter to him in error, as chairman of the Domain Board, referring to the encroachment on the society’s grounds. The first meeting of the Board since its appointment was to be held that day, and no opportunity had yet taken place of electing a chairman. He thought he ought to make this explanation injustice to the Board, as the society would expect a reply to their letter as a matter of courtesy. On receipt of the secretary’s letter he saw the members of the Board who were in town, and the complaint had since been rectified. As he had to attend the meeting of the Board he had merely called in to make that explanation. A letter was read from the secretary of the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society, saying he had been informed that the Christchurch society had plenty of perch, and asking if a few could be spared for his society. Sir Cracroft Wilson moved—“ That the number of perch at the disposal of this society is not at present sufficient to warrant the disposal of any of them to parties not resident in Canterbury.” Mr Wallace seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A letter was read from Mr D. L. Inwood, of Winchester, asking the terms and conditions on which the society disposed of trout. It was his opinion that the Waihi stream between Winchester and Geraldine was one of the best rivers in the province for trout. He believed the society was endeavoring to stock the various rivers with those fish, and perhaps the suitability of the Waihi would be taken into consideration. If the society had abandoned that system, he would like to know the price at which young fish would be sold to members and non-members. Mr Inwood also mentioned that the pheasants were increasing in his district, and appeared to thrive well. It was resolved that a reply be sent to Mr Tnwood informing him of the resolution relative to the disposal of trout, passed by the society at their meeting in Oeptember last, viz, that trout can be purchased at £5 per 1000. It was resolved to recommend to bis Honor the appointment of Messrs Syndoa Hancock,

Fernside, Rangiora ; Thomas D. Acland, Southbridge ; John Macfarlaue, Coldstream ; and Malcolm Macfarlanc, White Rock, as rangers.

The secretary laid on the table a pamphlet received from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, containing in alphabetical order the names of all trees and shrubs in their possession.

The secretary was instructed to forward the thanks of the society in reply. The curator reported that £5 4s had been received during the last month as subscriptions, and £l2 9s Id for sales. The estimated expenditure for December was £ls, Eleven of the largest salmon had been liberated in the floating cage and were thriving remarkably well. The cage had been floated down the Avon and sunk in deep water near New Brighton. A supply of river water was necessary for the trout and salmon trout in the gardens, if a satisfactory increase of young fish was to be obtained. A parcel containing a description of wheat had been received from Germany, presented by Mr Kinkner, but no particulars had arrived with it. He would suggest that he be authorised to capture some of the hares, for sale at £1 each to members of the society in the country districts. One of glasses in the rearing tank had unfortunately been broken, which necessitated the removal of the fish, which had for months proved a source of attraction to the public. The fish in the aquarium had thriven remarkably well, especially the salmon. He trusted the damage referred to would be repaired in the course of a few days, and would suggest that a sunshade be erected over the building. Mr Jameson, as hon. treasurer, reviewed the work done by the society during the past year ; and after stating its pecuniary position, said he would move—“ That notice be given to the curator that his services will be dispensed with at the end of the year.” Dr Campbell did not consider that such an important motion should be discussed without notice being given, and would insist on this course being adopted. Sir Cracroft Wilson said it was the old sore breaking out again. If such a course as getting rid of their curator was determined on let their successors take the responsibility. And if such a step had to be taken let it be done at the annual meeting. when the whole voice of the subscribers could be heard.

The chairman pointed out that the resolution had not yet been seconded. Mr J. S. Williams said that, for the sake of discussing the resolution, he would second it pro forma. Dr Campbell deprecated the gloomy aspect of the society’s affairs as shown by Mr Jameson. If it was his intention to wind up the society altogether, he would go with him. He (Mr Jameson) had made too much of the one or two individuals who had publicly made it known that they would no longer subscribe their guinea, and it was his (Dr Campbell’s) opinion that their not doing so would not cause the society irreparable injury. It was not the fault of the water races (as stated by Mr Jameson) that the experiment in trout had not been successful, but for the foul artesian water, instead of having three or four thousand trout at their disposal they would have had 30,000. [Hear, hear.] If the late Council had done more for the good of the society, and spoken less about the officers, the result would not be sc unsatisfactory, and he was altogether opposed, to this gloomy state of things going forth to the public about a society which had done so much public good. [Hear, hear.] It was, as Sir Cracroft Wilson had justly remarked, the old sore breaking out again, and if they got rid of Mr Johnson they would have to get another curator, or wind up the society altogether. Mr Wilson spoke in support of Dr Campbell’s remarks, and detailed from personal observation the large amount of good the society had done in the matter of acclimatisation during the past year. To dismiss the curator would simply mean the breaking down of practical acclimatisation in the province altogether. [Hear, hear.] Ha agreed with Sir Cracroft Wilson that this matter should be left with the new council altogether, and he would strongly oppose the resolution and views held by Mr Jamieson. Had that gentleman proposed that the curator’s assistant should be dispensed with he could then have better understood him. Sir Cracroft Wilson said it was his intention to move an amendment, as any one who knew anything of the subject must acknowledge that the failure of the trout ova was due to the foul water. (Hear, hear.) If pumping power was not brought into requisition their fish would be more diseased than at present. He would move—“ That discus, sion on this matter be deferred until the general meeting to be hold in January.” Dr Campbell seconded the amendment. Mr Jamieson, in speaking to the amendment, said that in bringing forward the resolution he did not do so in a spirit of antagonism to Mr Johnson. His only motive was to give notice, which would release the society from its engagement, leaving it for the new Council to then act as they might deem fit.

The amendment was put and carried, and the resolution lost. MrJamesonmoved—“ That the salmon now in the society’s ponds, with the exception of seven, be liberated in the river Avon.” Dr Campbell seconded the motion. Sir Cracroft Wilson moved, as an amendment—“ That the salmon be kept, pending the experiment of the cage, and that means be taken to pump the water from the Avon into the ponds." Mr W. Wilson seconded the amendment. On the amendment being put, four voted for, and four against. The chairman gave his casting vote in favor of the amendment, which was declared to be carried. Sir Cracroft Wilson mentioned a little circumstance for the information of members which had come to his knowledge, and which proved that in opposition to a great deal that had been said on this subject—the trout imported by the society would rise to a fly and be hooked, Mr Johnston laid on the table a small parcel of Jarrah seeds, received through Messrs Cuff and Graham, from Mr Wyndham, of Western Australia. The parcel was wrapped in an Otago Guardian, of October Bth, 1874, and he wished to draw the attention of the members to the circumstance that it had evidently been tampered with. He thought the secretary should be instructed to take some action in this matter, as the parcel must have been opened and robbed in Otago. The remainder of the curator’s report was considered. Estimated expenditure for December, £ls, was passed. It was resolved on the motion of Sir Cracroft Wilson —“ That the Government be applied to for the labor gang to perform the

work necessary to lead the water from the river into the ponds.” In reply to the chairman as to the means he had for catching hares, The curator replied that he had a large description of mouse trap for that purpose. [Laughter.] The curator was instructed to catch some of the hares and dispose of them at £1 each. The garden committee were requested to draw up the annual report. It was resolved that the treasurer make application to the Government for the £3OO voted to the society by the Provincial Council. The Council then adjourned.