ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1568, 27 February 1879, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the council of the Society was held at 3 p.m. yesterday. Present —Sir Cracroft Wilson (in the chair), Dr. Frankish, Messrs Boys aud S. C. Farr hon. sec.) \ THE JACKDAW. j Mr Boys brougnt under the notice of the council that several farmers had spoken of the desirableness of striking out the jackdaw from the list of birds ordered to be brought out by Bills. lie would like the Council to consider whether, under the circumstances, it would not be bettor to strike them out If they could get such nice birds from America as the prairie grouse, it would be much better to do this than getting jackdaws- He considered that the introduction of pinnated grouse, which were called prairie chickens, undoubtedly was the finest thing that had ever been done by any acclimatisation society in New Zeeland. It was decided to write home to Mr Bills, requesting him to strike the jackdaws out of his list. TENDBES. Tenders were opened for the printing of 500 copies of the annual report, and that of the Pbess Company accepted, COBKBSPONDENCE. A letter was read from Messrs Walker and Ciogstoun of Pour Peaks, asking for leave to shoot hares in June of the present year. The writers also asked that they might have some prairie hens to turn out as their cover at Pour Peaks was better than at Heathstock. It was agreed to recommend the Government to agree to the request to shoot hares. A letter was also read from Messrs Richardson and Co., of Wharfdale station, offering to turn out the prairie chickens on their estate if the Council desired it. Mr Boys said he thought that he had found one of the most desirable places in the province—viz., the station of Mr J. T. Brown at Mount Th»mas. There was a large tract of cultivated land, with prairies all round it. Mr Brown would undertake to take charge of the birds, and do his utmost to preserve them. Dr. Frankish said he thought that if any change was |to be made they should have a larger meeting. He would move that this be done. Mr Boys said that the curator, Mr Starkiss, had told him that it was necessary to get the birds turned out as soon as possible, as the birds were knocking themselves about in the cages for three hours in the night. He felt that wherever the birds wore turned out that they should go in a flock, and it should not be considered to whom they should be sent. Dr. Prankish thought that they should consider the necessity of affording the members an opportunity of reconsidering their decision if they were going to alter the place selected. Mr Boys said that wekas abounded at Heathstock and no doubt at Wharfdale also. Mr Brown’s place was not only he thought the best suited, but it was near to Christchurch, and was free from population. Ho would move That tho prairie hens be placed in the charge of Mr J. T. Brown, at Mount Thomas.” Mr Farr seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Brown was called in, and, in answer to questions, said that he had some wekas on his land, but he killed them as fast as he could. If the prairie hens were entrusted to him he would do his best to protect them. Ho would turn them into 700 acres of cultivation, and would take the utmost care of them. The secretary undertook to see the birds sent up by the midday train on Thursday, to Fernside, and Mr Brown undertook to liberate the birds at night ■FALLOW DEBB, A letter was read from the Hon. George Bnckley, stating that ho did not think he wou'd be able to get doer from Tasmania, as expected. Mr Lord wanted £l2 a-head for the deer he had. The Council decided to take no action in the matter. FUNGUS IN FISH. A letter was read from Mr Boys, forwarding a paper read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh on “ Fungoids in Fish.” The meeting, after some further discussion, adjourned.