ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1241, 27 February 1878, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the council of the Acclimatisation So iety was held yesterday afternoon at Radcliffe’s Hotel. Pi-i s mt—Sir Ceocroft Wilson (chairman), Dr. Frankish, Messrs Boys, Blakiston, Hill, Williams, Farr (hon. sec.), Marehman, and Hon. J. T. Peacock.

Accounts amounting to £8 4s 6d were passed for payment. It was decided that the sub-curator and his family should be allowed to occupy the house in the gardens, to be vacated at the pleasure of the council. ' Mr Farr was authorised to act ns treasurer.

A letter was read from the Corn Exchange, enclosing a resolution drawing attention to the destruction caused by the sparrows. Mr Boys wished it to go forth to the public that the Acclimatisation Society did not import the sparrows. They were first introduced to Canterbury by the ship Blue Jacket. The society was asked to purchase them, but no reply was given, and the result w-as that the sparrows were sent up to the society, who, however, took the responsibility of letting them loose.

Dr. Frankish gave an instance where some crops had for years been laid by caterpillars, but since the sparrows had built in a belt of trees close by, the caterpillars had disappeared entirely for about two chains from the fence, though they had shown themselves in the centre of the field. Though the birds certainly took a little grain, they did more good ;_than they were generally credited with.

After further remarks, the secretary was instructed to direct attention to the “ Provincial Gazette” of 30th January, 1875, re destruction of sparrows. The Secretary read a letter from the Colonial Secretary, expressing a wish that any white-fish hatched out might be placed in Lake Coleridge. The Chairman undertook to see personally that the young fish hatched out were placed in the lake as requested. On the motion of Mr Boys, it was resolved to accept the chairman’s offer of distributing the balance of the Californian salmon at the confluence of the Heathcoto and Cashmere rivers.

A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, asking the council to suggest a time for the coming open season for shooting. After some discussion as to the inadvisableness of altering the season for shooting ducks, it was decided to recommend that the season for shooting ducks, swan, &c., should be from Ist April to 31st July inclusive, and for pheasants during the month of June only. Mr Hill moved—“ That the Inspector of Police (Mr Broliam) be asked to give instructions to the police, mounted and otherwise, to see so far as they are able that the provisions of clause 29 of the Game Act are not infringed.” Dr. Frankish seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Dr. FrMikish moved the motion of which ho had given notice, viz.—“ That a gamekeeper be employed for six months at a salary not exceeding £lO per month, that amount to be supplemented by half (he fines imposed through his instrumentality.” The mover instanced the scarcity of leverets this season, and other circumstances, to show the necessity for such an officer being appointed to watch the suburbs of Christchurch. He felt certain many persons would subscribe towards keeping one or two such officers. Mr Hill seconded the motion, and mentioned other particulars which had come to his knowledge. Air Boys did not see the necessity for the motion, ns they had already 120 gamekeepers in the persons of the rangers appointed. [A Voice —You mean poachers.] Well, ho would like to know if any action hud been taken by the Government in giving the society the power asked for to dismiss those rangers. The Secretary said that the late Government leaving office had delayed the alteration asked for.

The chairman said that some of the rangers deserved to have their necks wrung for their so-called protection of the game in various parts of the district. Dr Frankish’s motion was then put and carried.

A motion by Mr J. S. Williams, recommending that black swan might be shot all the year round, was withdrawn after some discussion. The Council then adjourned,

RIFE CONTEST. Civilians y. Volunteers.

This match, which had excited a considerable amount of interest, was decided on the Hillsborough rifle range, and resulted, as anticipated, in a very close run. Both sides strained every nerve to score a win, and the result is one that all concerned may bo satisfied with. Excellent shooting was made all round, considering the changeable nature of the weather. At the commencement the wind was blowing strong down the range with a fairly clear light; afterwards it chopped round, and blew up the range, a slight rain falling at the same time, and the light being bad. All these circumstances tried the judgment of the competitors, but, as will bo seen, first-class shooting was made, averaging 2.75, no mean score under the circumstances. Three or four small scores helped materially to reduce the average, otherwise the scores may be taken as representing the best shooting over made in this district. The competitors, fifteen on either side, left Radcliffe’s Hotel at 10 a.m. per Hal wood’s omnibus, and commenced firing at 11 30 a.m. Mr Appleby was chosen captain of the Civilians, and Sergeant-Major Fox, of the Artillery, was elected to the command of the Volunteers. Sweeps on the range and aggregate scores were got up, and the result is noted below. The following are the scores: —

The five highest scorers'at each range and in tli3 whole' match obtained prizes. The conditions of the match were five shots at each range; no sighting shot; Wimbledon targets. The Civilians thus won (ho match by nine points, a very email number, indeed, out of fiOO shots. Although termed Civilians, there was but one competitor on that side who had not been in the Volunteer force, so that the match really was present versus past Volunteers. Luncheon was provided on the ground, and at the close of the firing all assembled, and the various prizes were distributed to the successful competitors by Captain Warner. Cheers were given on either side, after which all returned to town highly pleased as the day’s outinfy A return match ia to take pi ace in alight fourteen days.

CIVILIANS. 200 yds. 3< ii i yds. too yds. 500 yds. Tl. Mr Cameron . 15 19 17 16 67 Mr Hunter .. 17 13 19 16 65 Mr Pavitt .. 17 13 17 16 63 Mr Woodhotisc . 18 14 19 11 62 Mr Gunderson . 16 11 16 17 60 Mr Appleby Mr Dixon .. 17 .. 18 13 12 13 18 16 11 59 59 Mr Hesl;eth .. 17 12 17 13 59 Mr Pato .. 15 13 15 15 58 Mr S. Manning .. It 15 13 13 55 Mr Junes .. 16 13 16 8 53 Mr Uninhart .. 13 It 13 11 9 •19 Mr Perkins .. 13 11 12 47 Mr McDowell .. 12 6 12 14; 44 Mr Jackson ... .. 12 12 10 10 41 230 191 226 197 811 Volumxisrs. 200 yds. 300 yds >t00 500 yds', yds. Tl. Private Francis (C.G.) .. 16 15 13 17 61 Sergeant Buckley (E.) .. It 17 15 13 59 Sapper Chapman (E.) .. 16 12 16 15 59 Private Ekberg (C.G.) .. 16 13 14 17 59 Sergeant Hill (A.) ... .. 15 14 16 11 59 Private Hill (C.G.) Sapper Marshall (B.) .. 16 .. It 15 13 19 17 9 15 59 59 Sergeant Francis (C.G.) .. 15 13 14 16 5S Sergeant-Major Pox (A.) .. 15 10 16 15 56 Sergeant Manning (B.) ,. 15 13 14 11 56 Corporal Parker (C.G.) .. 16 14 IS ll 56 Qr.-Mr. Ser. Beattie (E.) .. 15 14 13 12 51 Trooper Judge (C ) .. 13 11 16’ >3 $ Trooper Dunbar (C.) .. IS G 13 4 i 40 Sergeant Haven (A.) ,, 13; j 9' !> 2:i,3 192 220 200, 835