ACCLIMATISATON SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 885, 26 April 1877, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATON SOCIETY.

A meeting o.f liie Council of the Acclimatisation Society was lieid on Tuesday lasi. Present —Hod J. T. Peacock (chairman), Sir Cvaciolt Wilson, Messrs 1.1 ill, Jameson, Wallace, and Farr (lion. sec.). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A conversation took place wit h reference to the curator having invited some persons to hunt, hares last week without, authority from the Council, after which it was resolved - “ That an advertisement he inserted inviting applications for the purchase of hares at IT per head.”

Dr. Frankish and Mr J. Marshman were elected to fill the vacancies in the Council, caused by the resignation of Drs. Rowell and Nedwill. A letter was read from Mr Alfred Burrows, East Oxford, giving the result of his really minute observations as to the spread of the English birds imported by the society, judging from their location in his district. While mentioning chaffinch, redpole, pheasant, and partridge, he particularly mentioned that during this summer ho had particularly noticed the increased and thorough acclimatisation of the greenfinch, goldfinch, skylark, starling, and Australian magpie, in the East Oxford district. The secretary was instructed to reply, thanking Mr Burrows for his information, and the evident interest he has taken in acclimatisation. It having boon reported that pheasants were being destroyed in every direction, it was resolved that a, reward of £lO be offered to any person or persons who will give information which may lead to the conviction of any person or persons found shooting game out of season, or having the same in their possession. The secretary was instructed to have this notice advertised at once. A let! or was read from Dr. Hector, regretling the failure of the white fish ova, and saying he would forward particulars to Professor Bail’d by the outgoing mail. The Secretary moved —“That 100 Australian magpies be ordered from Melbourne.” Seconded by Mr Jamieson, and agreed 10. The Chairman reported what had been done with the English salmon, and Iheir disposal in the River Ashley by himself, the lion, see., and curator. One hundred and eighty-one young (Ish had been successfully liberal ed, the fish varying in length from four to eight inches. A report was read from the sub-committee with reference to the gardens, suggesting a number of improvements, and recommending that one of the garden hands should be dispensed with. After remarks it was determined to leave the matter in the hands of the garden committee to take action. It was resolved to discontinue the breeding of pheasants in the garden, as the Council believed the country was sufficiently stocked with these birds. Mr Hill moved that 200 pairs of Californian quail be procured from Nelson at a cost not exceeding 2s per pair, to be landed at Lyttelton, and this was seconded by Mr Wallace and agreed to. It was resolved that the chairman and Mr Hall wait upon the chairman of the Domain Board with reference to the wire fencing around the deer enclosure, as it was considered it could be better utilised in the society’s grounds. The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr R. J. Creighton, San Francisco, enquiring the best mode of procuring prairie hens, giving the proper season of securing them and other similar birds. A resolut ion was carried, determining that no hairs should be caught for eight or ton days, until replies had been received to the Society’s advertisement. The Council then adjourned.