CANTERBURY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1494, 29 November 1878, Page 3

CANTERBURY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the above society was held yesterday afternoon at the Commercial Hotel, at 3 30 p.m. Present Mer John Marshman, Sir Cracroft Wilson (in the chair). The secretary reported that a, further allotment of 1000 Ush had been made to the Timaru Society to replace the loss sustained by them on a former occasion. The last lot was taken to Timaru under his personal supervision and successfully distributed. In describing bis journey Mr Farr said that when they left Rangitata North the thermometer registered 73, and a strong nor’wester was blowing, comparable only, with its attendant heat, to a blast from a lurnaco. He also desired to bring under the notice of the meeting the very great courtesy shown to him by Mr Back on the occasion. Up to the present time 13,150 trout had been distributed this season, there being about 5000 left to dispose of. He had also received a letter from Mr Perry, of Timaru, ascribing the loss of the previous batch of fish to their being supplied with tepid water at Temuka. Sixtythree fishing licenses had been granted during the present season. The following correspondence was submitted :—From Mr Bills, in which ha stated his intention of being in Christchurch the first week in January, prior to his departure for England ; also, slating that he would bring a small shipment of Australian birds as arranged at a former meeting, and would then receive his final in-truclions. Fiom Mr J. 11. Enys, reporting the safe arrival of 200 trout taken to the tributary creeks of the Upper Waimakariri, for Mr I'. Bruce of Cora Linn, and which had been successfully placed in the

stream, ■ t .j»o mentioned that seven years ue . 1-e ■. un.fl out; a number of trout in a priva'e creek on his estate, and he was glad to say they hud thriven wonderfully. From Mr W. J ’Newton, of Castle Rock, advising that the 200 trout taken by him hud been turned into his pond with a loss of seven only), and that they wore wore thriving well. From Mr R Wright of K d .poi, applying for 200 trout, so be turned nho a creek running through Mr Elder’s farm into the Waimakariri. From Mr W. [I. Stick of Pleasant Valley, applying lor 200 trout, to he turned into a branch of the iii-hi- i'ernona. From Mr Wynn Williams, Mating that the 1000 trout allotted to him to turn out in the river Selwyn had been Safely deposited in that river near White Clills, without the loss of a single fish, also recommending th it 2000 trout should be placed in the river Ashburton. A telegram was read from the secretary of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, applying for 2000 trout. The Secretary said he had replied to the effect that the society could have them, provided they sent some one from Wellington to take charge of the fish, to which he had received no reply. The action of the secretary was approved. A letter was read from Mr Luscombe, of Southbrook farm, asking if Mr Bills could go to friends of his (Mr Luscombe) in England, and procure for him two pairs of game fowls of a very choice breed, he agreeing to pay anything that might be asked. It was agreed that the request be complied with, a charge of 30s per pair to be made, the society undertaking no responsibility. Respecting Mr Wynn Williams’ application re the Ashburton, it was considered that it would be advisable to place some trout in the tributaries of the Upper Ashburton.

The Chairman mentioned having seen some fish in a spring at Cashmere, of a species he could not determine. He wished the curator to visit the same with a landing not, and determine what the fish were.

The suggestion was agreed to. The Timaru Acclimatisation Society wished to have as many pheasants as possible at the proper season, on the usual terms.

Agreed to. The Secretary reported that in the neighborhood of Templeton the larks were being shot by thousands: also, that the blackbirds in the neighborhood of the Carlton and Papanui were being destroyed, in proof of which he produced a letter received by him, us follows :

Farr, Esq., Hon. Sec. Acclimatisation Society,

Dear sir, —I consider it my duty to inform you that at Templeton English skylarks are being shot daily by hundreds, men being specially employed for so doing, the plea that the skylarks damage the young shoots of a particular root grown in large quantit cs on the farm. Blackbirds are being exterminated by dozens between the Carlton Hotel aud Papanui, the man saying they destroy his fruit. Nests (especially blackbirds) arc taken by boys whenever seen, all over Christchurch. If this sort of thing goes on no v (breeding time), and the society pretemdsto know notuing about it, what is tbe use of spending money in sending for birds, &c. to be destroyed? Although skylarks are being shot by thousands it means hundreds of thousands in the long run, as they are breeding. The parties that are doing this are well known to mo. 1 don’t choose to mention either their names or my own, as they would be sure to know where the information came from, but as there are not a hundred farms at Templeton, it will be an easy' ma'ter for you to find out, as the fact is well known thereabouts. My name, as 1 mentioned before, i do not care to be known, so I sign myself One Who Wants it Stopped.

It was decided, to ask the Press to give publicity to this letter, the members expressing their opinion very strongly on the statement made.

Mr Marshman moved that the thanks of the society be accorded to Mr Back for the facilities afforded on the recent trip to Timaru, which was carried.

A vote of thanks was also passed to Mr C. Whitefoord for the very great assistance given on the occasion of placing the trout in the Rangiora Main Drain ; also to Mr Cook, who at bis own expense, and a great deal of trouble, conveyed a batch of young trout to the head waters of the Waipara. It was decided to ask Mr John Ollivier to audit the accounts of the society. The fifteenth annual report of the society was ordered to be prepared during December for the annual meeting in January. The disposal of the remainder of the trout was left in the hands of the secretary. It was decided, if possible, that Mr Bills should leave for England by the Rangitiki. The meeting then adjourned.