ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1870, 20 February 1880, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council was held at the Commercial Hotel yesterday at 3 30 p.m. Present —Sir C. Wilson (in the chair), Hon. J. T. Peacock, Messrs Marshman, Frankish, Stoddart, Farr and Bridges. The tender of the Peess Company for printing the annual report was accepted. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, enclosing one from Mr A. M. Johnson, asking leave to capture salmon and trout in the rivers of Canterbury for the purposes of artificial propagation, and asking for the opinion of the society on the subject. Dr. Frankish moved—“ That a letter bo sent to the Colonial Secretary, stating that, in the interests of fish culture and the stocking of the public streams with fish, it is not desirable that leave should be given to Mr Johnson.” Mr Bridges seconded the motion, which was carried. A letter was read from the Dunedin Society, detailing the failure of the white fish ova in Otago. The temperature of the water was from 47 to 32 degrees. A letter was read from the secretary of the South Canterbury Society, stating that they were going to apply to the Government to open the district for coursing from Ist April to 31st July, which, however, they were afraid would clash with the members of the Canterbury Club, who might have to pay in both districts. The Secretary stated that he had replied, suggesting that the Canterbury Society should issue all licenses, and that at the end of the season the amount due to the So'.ith Canterbury Society should be paid over. The Secretary reported the regulations agreed upon between the Argling Society and the Society as to angling for salmon and trout, and that they had been forwarded to the Government. Letters were read from Messrs Elworthy (Pareora), Josling (Rangiora), Bolton, S. Nutt, Tripp, McFarlane, John Deans, and a number of others, respecting the queries of the Society as to the advisableness of shooting hares, pheasants, and ducks. Nearly all the letters were unanimous in saying that the hares were very scarce, and that the Society should not give permission for shooting them this season. Dr. Frankish moved —“ That the duck shooting season be from April Ist to July 31st, and the pheasant shooting season Ist to 30th of June, both days inclusive, and that hares be not shot this season.” The motion was carried. A letter was read from Mr J. D. Buys, stating that he had made arrangements to carry the white fish into Lake Pearson. It was resolved that the license fee for pheasants should be the same as last year. It was resolved that licenses be issued for coursing with greyhounds only. It was decided to send white fish to Lakes Pearson and Grasmere. Dr. Frankish suggested that swamp hens •hould be protected, as there were no better

table birds in the country. He would move—«lhat swamp hens should be included in the list of native game birds in future.”

Mr Farr seconded the motion.^ On examination of the Act it was found that the society had no power to make the alteration, which must ho made by an amendment of the Act, It was resolved to take steps to get the Government to amend the Act as suggested. Mr Farr brought under the notice of the Council the great necessity which existed for having a legal adviser in cases of breaches of the Act, as they had lost two strong oases. Dr. Frankish said that he agreed with Mr Farr in this matter.

Mr Bridges moved—“ That in future in cases whore informations are laid legal assistance be engaged on behalf of the society.' Dr. Frankish seconded the motion, which was carried. The meeting then adjourned.