ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1263, 5 April 1878, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A special meeting of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon at Radcliff e’s Hotel. Present—Sir Cracrpft Wilson (chairman), Messrs Hill, Boys, Parr (hon, sec.), Hon. J. T. Peacock, and Dr. Frankish. BLACK SWANS. A telegram was read from the Undersecretary, asking whether it was desired that the protection should be withdrawn from black swans. The Secretary said a reply had been forwarded, asking the Q-overnment to withdraw the protection from those birds during the open season for shooting. SOUTH CANTERBURY DISTRICT. A letter was read from Mr A. Perry, ; secretary of the South Canterbury Society, enclosing copy of a resolution passed at their last meeting, asking the Government to issue a proclamation declaring that no game should be hunted, shot, taken, or killed between the Rivers Rangitata and jWaitangi, during the season of 1878. This resolution had been passed as the society, after going to great expense and trouble in introducing pheasants and other game, had found that last year some persons who had taken out licenses in Christchurch to shoot cock pheasants had shot some of the few birds they had in that district. As the licenses issued in Christchurch last year extended to the whole of the provincial district of Canterbury, and they, therefore, could not prosecute, the South Society would wish that licenses issued this season by the Christchurch Society should exempt the South Canterbury district, as specified in the boundaries mentioned in the resolution. On the motion of Mr Hill, seconded by Mr Boys, it was unanimously resolved to comply with the request contained in the letter. APPLICATION TO TRAP GAME. A letter was read from Mr J. S. Caverhill, applying for permission to catch hares and partridges. The secretary was instructed to reply that the society would be prepared, in the proper season, to supply a number of hares *at current rates. The catching of partridges was strictly prohibited. ENGLISH AND NEW ZEALAND SKYLARKS. A letter was read from Mr A. Jardine, saying he would be at liberty next week to commence catching skylarks. The society would be sorry to hear that there existed here a cross breed between the New Zealand and English skylarks, and the progeny would be a kind of mules which would not breed.. His expo rience led him to believe that this had been owing to the scarcity of English hen skylarks. The only remedy he could suggest was to import a large number of hen skylarks. If this were not done the number of English and native larks would soon be small, through their progeny being mules. THE AMERICAN WHITE-PISH, - ■ The Secretary read a very interesting report from Sir J. Cracroft Wilson on his recent trip to Lake Coleridge with the white-fish, which, will be published in a future issue. Mr Hill moved—“ That the best thanks of the society are duo to Sir Cracroft Wilson for the energy ho has displayed and trouble he has taken in successfully depositing the white-fish in Lake Coleridge.” Hon. J. T. Peacock seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. The meeting then adjourned.