CANTERBURY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1225, 6 February 1878, Page 2

CANTERBURY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of this society was held last evening at Radclifh’s Hotel, Hon. J. T. Peacock in the chair. There was not a large attendance. The Secretary (Mr S. C. Farr) read the following fourteenth annual report:— Y cur Council has the pleasure to present the Fourteenth Annual Report ending December, 1877. At a special general meetingjof subscribers held on January 30th last, a resolution was carried reducing the number of the Council from nineteen to twelve, which resolution was confirmed at the annual meeting held immediately after. The Council begs to submit a balancesheet for the year, duly audited in accordance with the rules. The Council regrets that the first attempt to introduce American whitefish into the colony resulted in a failure. A second shipment is expected through the Government. The Council trusts that the experience gained, and information since received as to* the treatment, will render the experiment a success. A second shipment of about 50,000 American salmon ova has been placed at the disposal of the society by the Government. The success attending the hatching and rearing of the young fish has been greater than was the case with the previous shipment. It is estimated that from 30,000 to 40,000 have been reared. Of this number —10,000 have been placed in the Waimakariri 10 000 in the Fangitata, and 1000 in the Shag River. Of those on hand from previous shipment at the date of last annual meeting, 4,000 wex-o turned into the Hurunui, 2000 in the Opihi, 5000 in the Little Rakaia, and 10,000 in the Ashley. Reports hr.ve reached the Council that three salmon about 8 inches long were taken with an artificial fly, and returned to water, two of them being from the Avon, and one from north branch of Waimakiriri. Ibis establishes the fact that American salmon will rise to the fly. 181 English salmon were this year placed in the Ashley. A large number of trout have been distributed about the provincial district. Hares have increased in sufficient numbers to permit of coursing, and last year a season was declared open by the Government. The Council is in communication with several gentlemen at San Francisco with the view to introduce a variety of desirable game birds. During the last season, about 40 fishing, 150 game, and 10 coursing licenses were issued. J. I'. Peacock, Chairman. Febnxary sth, 1878. On the motion of Sir Oracroft Wilson, seconded by Mr J.S. Williams, the report was adopted. The Chairman said the statement of accounts had been prepared and duly audited. It had been submitted at the last meeting of the Council, but Mr Jameson, the honorary treasurer, had not yet arrived to lay it before the present meeting. It was resolved on the motion of Sir Cracroft Wilson, seconded by Mr J. R. Hill—- “ That the statement of accounts as audited by Mr Blakiston be passed.” " The Chairman said the next business would be the election of the members of the Council for the ensuing year. On a ballot being taken, the following gentlemen were declared to be duly elected:— Sir Oracroft Wilson, C. R. Blakiston, Hon. J. T. Peacock, J. C. Boys, Dr. Frankish, S. C. Farr, J. P. Jameson, J. S. Williams, J. B. Hill, G. L. Mellish, J. Marshman, and A. Garrick. On the motion of the Hon. J. T. Peacock, seconded by Dr. Frankish, Sir Oracroft Wilson was elected Chairman of the new Council. The Hon. J. T. Peacock and Mr J. R. Hill were elected vice-chairmen. Messrs J P. Jameson and S. C. Farr were unanimously re-elected treasurer and secretary respectively,

Dr Frankish said he had referred at the last meeting of the Council to the necessity of two, or at least one gamekeeper being appointed for the ensuing season, if the public would pay one half their salaries. He believed that if such officers were appointed the result would be found beneficial to the subscribers and the public generally. The Chairman said this question would be considered at the next meeting of the Council. On the motion of Mr J. S. Williams, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Hon. J. T. Peacock and outgoing Council. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.