ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1255, 27 March 1878, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council was held yesterday at Badcliffe's Hotel. Present—Sir C. Wilson (in the chair), Messrs J. S. Williams, Boys, Prankish, and Parr. Sir Cracroft Wilson pave a very interesting account of his trip with the white fish. Dr. Frankish said that acting under the instructions of the Council, Mr Mellish and himself had appointed Mr Douglas as the gamekeeper of the Society, and asked for the ratification of the Council.

It was resolved that the action taken by the sub-committee be approved.

Dr. Frankish said that he hoped the gamekeeper would be appointed a ranger. Mr Farr said that he had applied that the gamekeeper should be appointed a ranger. A letter was read from Mr Beswick asking on behalf of the persons in the district, that the pheasant shooting should be opened on the Ist of May. A letter was read from Sir C. Wilson, addressed to Mr Beswick, stating that the fact was that the birds were short this season Sir Cracroft wrote —" Ido not understand what you mean by the school boys and legitimate shooting. Do the lads take out licenses 'i If they do not the Society will do its best to convict them. If they do then they will have but a few days for using thou.' licenses. I cannot agree with Mr Boys as to the pheasants. My experience, and that of my manager, is that there are fewer birds this season. I am certain that the heavy rains in the latter end of the New Zealand spring killed many of the young birds. Illegitimate shooting, as you term it, which is in fact poaching, has been rife during the recent breeding season, and the Society ha? determined to put it down.'*

A telegram was read from Mr J. C. Boys, as follows s—" Re pheasant shooting I agtee with you this time. I tried hard to get it made the 15th May, but was outvoted in the Council. Birds are earlier and more plentiful than last year—J. C. Boys.'' The request was refused, A letter was read from the Government, stating that tliey had decided that all fees tor game licenses would in future he handed over to the secretaries of the various acclimatisation societies, instead of being handed to the public account, as in the past. The Council decided to take over the collection of the fees.

A letter was read from Mr John Deans, asking for permission to shoot the hares on his estate, as they were a nuisance. Sir Cracroft Wilson said that lie would be ready to take over the hares if Mr Deans would allow them to catch, the hares, It was resolved that the secretary be requested to communicate with Mr Deans, and ask him to allow the members of the society to catch the hares which were so much a nuisance to hiux. A letter was read from Mr A. Jardine, forwarding his terms for catching skylarks, &e. It was decided to accept Mr Jardinc's terms for catching the larks. A telegram was read from the Colonial Secretary, asking what kind of game might be shot in the open season. The secretary stated that he had replied, stating that the following Avere open for shooting during the season : —Bittern, black swan, dotterell, plover, teal, wild duck, and wild geese. A further telegram had been received, asking whether the society did not wish pheasants, hares, Californian quail, &c, shot. To this ho had replied as follows:—" The birds enumerated in my I'eply on the 23rd may be shot in the open season without license : pheasants alone can be killed by license; hares, partridge, and quail are still protected. This concluded the business, and the Council adjourned.