ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 655, 26 July 1876, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Coun- I cil of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon at the gardens. In reply to Dr Nedwill, the secretary said he had not received any answer to his letter written to the Hunt Club respecting payment for the hares. A letter was read from the secretary of the Auckland Society, stating the arrangements intended to be made by the society for the transit of the Californian ova, and suggesting that as the construction of two ice houses might not be allowed on the steamer's deck, he would suggest that a division be made in the same house to contain the Canterbury portion. A letter from Dr Campbell to Mr Young, now in America, respecting the shipment, and suggesting that the Canterbury portion should be so packed as to allow of its not being broken into before reaching Lyttelton, was also read. .. The secretary reported that he had that day received £l5O from the Government as a first instalment towards procuring the American ova ; he had also received £5, the amount of Mr Barnes' fine for contravention of the Game Act, which had been imposed by the Leithfield Bench of Magistrates. A rough balance sheet was laid before the Council, but in the absence of the treasurer and illness of one of the auditors, it had not been completed. It was stated in reply to a member that the average payment lor the hawks' heads was about £1 10s per month, at the rate of 6d per head. . The secretary stated that he was informed a few days ago that a man living at the Sandhills was in the habit of shooting everything down that came in his way, and had sold a number of pheasants at 7s per pair. He (Mr Farr) had, however, not received sufficiently definite information to prosecute upon. He had also seen a man carrying ducks that day. On the motion of Mr Farr, it was resolved to recommend the appointment of Mr E. Palmer, Sandhills, as ranger. Mr Wallace moved—" That the accounts of the society to 30th June, 1876, be audited, the secretary and treasurer to kindly hand over all the books to him, and that Mr J. Ollivier be requested to make the audit, the report to be forwarded to the chairman of the council." Mr Bird seconded the resolution, which was carried. After some remarks from Mr Mellish relative to the importation of humble bees, The Secretary said that Mr F. Smith, of the zoological department of the British Museum, had taken some interest in the introduction of the humble bee into the colony. Mr Mellish said he would write privately to Mr Smith on the matter, and, having left the chair, moved, '* That strenuous efforts be made to endeavour to acclimatise the humble bee from England, and that this meeting authorises the expenditure of a sum of money, necessary for that purpose, not to exceed £50." Mr Bird seconded the motion, which] was agreed to. The Secretary read a letter from Mr Buckland relative to the last shipment of humble bees, and his reply to that gentleman. The Council then adjourned.