ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 938, 27 June 1877, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council of the society was hold yesterday afternoon at Oookham Chambers. Present —Hon. J. T. Peacock (chairman), Sir Cracroft Wilson, Messrs. J. P. Jameson (lion, treasurer), Parr (hon. sec), and Marshman. Three tenders for printing 500 copies of the annual report were received. Two from the Lytielton Times —one being for £7 13s, the other for £7 7s, according to sample enclosed; the third for £7 15s from the Press Company. _ _ Sir Cracroft Wilson asked if the printing was equally good. On the motion of Sir Cracroft Wilson, seconded by Mr Jameson, it was resolved to accept the Lyttelton Tim ex tender of £7 7s. A letter was read from the hon. see., South Canterbury Society, complaining that the charges for the salmon received were too high, as the fish were procured through means of a Provincial grant, a portion of which had been charged against that district; complaining that the pheasants were also charged at a high rate, and asking the particulars of the number of cocks and hens supplied, with prices for same. The writer also desired to be supplied with hares up to seventy, and asked whether the Society could let the South Canterbury Association have some rooks ; and a few hen pheasants would also bo acceptable. He complained that some men were in the habit of netting herrings at the mouth of the Opihi, in which river salmon had been turned out, and asked whether a stop could not be put to this practice. The secretary was requested to reply that the river mentioned had been proclaimed as closed, and that action could be taken against any persons transgressing as stated.

Referring to the salmon account, it was decided to allow for the 2000 mentioned.

So far as the pheasants were concerned, it was found that the Society had not been charged with the whole number of the pheasants supplied them. A telegram was read from the Hon C. C. Bowcn, Minister of Justice, stating that an open season for coursing hares in Canterbury would be proclaimed from 2nd to 14th July. The proclamation mentioned was then read.

A letter was read from Dr Campbell, offering a flat bottomed punt at the gardens for £5. The Council decided to decline the offer.

Mr Jameson mentioned that a gentleman, who had been cooking a pheasant the other day, found over 100 long grubs in it. Sir C. Wilson observed that at certain seasons the pheasant was as good an insectivorous bird as he knew of.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr H. Bills, Deniliquin, N.S.W., saying the price offered for 100 pairs magpies was 100 small to pay him. He would require 12s per pair to supply that number. There were minahs in Victoria, useful insectivorous birds, which be would be prepared to supply 200 pairs of at 10s per pair ; all birds to be landed in good condition.

On the motion of Mr Jameson, seconded by Mr Farr, it was resolved to offer Mr Hills 10s per pair for 200 pairs of magpies ; it being understood that he could send a few minahs over on spec. Some remarks were made by the chairman as to the society instructing Mr MacCrae, of IToldtika, to procure u ease of ferns to be sent to Archdeacon Davics, of Tasmania; after which it was decided io instruct that a case to the value of £lO should be procured. Sir Cracroft Wilson agreed to bis motion for striking tho names of all rangers off the list being postponed until the new Act had passed. After several remarks as to tbe intended coursing match to be held by the Canterbury Club, it was agreed tliat tbe secretary should ask the secretary of that club for a copy of the rules agreed upon, and if anything in them were found to be objectionable a special meeting of the Council would be called immediately.

The Chairman asked about the proprietary in the hares, should any be killed. The Secretary read a clause in the Act showing that all dead game were vested in the chairman of the society.

The curator was authorised to employ a number of hoys to assist him in catching hares.

A loiter was read from Dr. Campbell, drawing the attention of the society to the necessity of some measures to protect the English and American salmon in their smolt sf ate and when on their way to the sea, and pointing to the practice of'fishermen netting for herrings in the estuaries. The writer also stated that the trout found dead, if examined, would be found to be males, and their death had simply resulted from lighting together, as they were largely in ihc majority of female fish.

At the suggestion of the Chairman, it was resolved to refer the letter to the sub-com-mittee appointed to consider the amendments required in the Act. The Council then adjourned.