ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1953, 28 May 1880, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the above society was held yesterday afternoon at Cookson’s Commercial Hotel at half-past three o’clock. Present—Sir Oraorott Wilson (in the chair), Dr Frankish, Messrs Stoddart, Bridges, Charters, H. R. Webb, Eereday, and Mr S. OEarr, hon, sec. The following letter to the secretary was read;— Government House, Sydney, sth May. 1880. Dear Sir, —Wishing to introduce trout into certain rivers of New South Wales, I have been advised by Dr Hector to put myself in communication with you, as being the honorary secretary of the Christchurch Acclimatisation Society, which has been more successful than any other in the artificial breeding of fi-b. to enable me to attain my object. Would you kindly furnish me with a set of the reports of the society, and also can you inform me whether the council of your society would be prepared to help in introducing trout in New South Wales. I am, 40., Reginald Blossom. The secretary had replied as follows : Christchurch, 15th May, 1880. Dear Sir, —In reply to yours of the sth inst., I may say it will he a pleasure to render every assistance to give effect to your wish, and as our breeding season will commence in about six weeks hence, I have no doubt but a goodly supply of ova can he forwarded by steamer direct (Jan you arrange to receive ova ? A series of shallow boxes will be necessary to be so placed that a constant run of water can pass through them, the temperature of which should not exceed 51 degrees Fahr. If you have a suitable stream, 1 shall be most happy to furnish every information for the necessary arrangements. As a proof of our success not less than 77,» 00 have been sent away from the society’s fish house in eleven seasons. I am sorry I cannot furnish you with a full set of the reports,_ but I send by this mail a copy of each of those in my posssession. Tours, &0., S. C. Farr. A letter was read from Mr Perry Hill, Temuka, asking that some one be allowed to visit Temuka to issue coursing licenses. The secretary read a letter he had sent at the commencement of the season, to the effect that all monies received for coursing licenses would be refunded to the district south of the Rangitata, loss any expenses incurred. His son had visited Temuka, but found nearly all the persons requiring licenses were absent coursing at Waimate, but he had left some license forms with Mr Hill, to be used if applied for. From the Colonial Institute of New Zealand, acknowledging receipts of various specimens of white fish in various stages of growth, which had been forwarded by the secretary. From the North Australian Acclimatisation Society, detailing purchases of various descriptions of birds from Mr Bills. Also from Mr Bills, relating his action in Melbourne and other parts of Australia, and announcing date of his return, when he intended bringing some golden porch to Canterbury. From the Coursing Club, respecting the systematic poaching and illegal coursing prevalent in the Malvern district, and enclosing a list of names of gentlemen resident in the locality who were willing to act as rangers. Certain names were selected of gentlemen to be deputed to acl in that capacity. From the Colonial Secretary’s office, asking for detailed information as to the process of acclimatising tke white fish. The Secretary said that he had supplied the desired information.

Prom Mr Walter Kannaway, London, about future consignments to the society. From GK L. Mellish, Esq., R M., asking to be allowed similar permission to that given to Messrs Lancelot Walker and John Doans, to shoot hares and pheasants on his estate, as he had liberated the game some years since, and now found it desirable to reduce their numbers. The secretary was instructed to take the necessary steps in this matter. Prom Mr Frank Egan, enclosing the fee of £2 2s for his pack of harriers. Mr Percday exhibited a drawing of a salmon trout, contending that the fish recently caught at the mouth of the Waimakariri was a salmon trout, which opinion was shared by those present. Dr. Frankish said that he had no doubt similar fish came to the mouths of the various rivers, especially at the spawning time. He would therefore move—“ln view of the danger to be apprehended of exterminating fish of the salmon tribe through the employment of nets such as arc at present in use at the mouths of the various rivers in Now Zealand, the Q-overnment be requested to legislate on the subject during the coming session.” Seconded by Mr Stoddart, and unanimously agreed to.

A letter was read from Mr MoWilliam, enclosing copy of a resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Anglers’ Society to the effect “ That the Eev. J. D. Eergusson, Dr. Campbell, and Messrs W. S. Cooke, and Major Cunningham bo appointed to search for salmon in the Waimakariri, by rod, net, or torch, as may be required, the Acclimatisation Society granting the necessary permission.” This was sanctioned by the meeting.

Dr. Frankish suggested that the keeper should keep a keen look out to ascertain that all persons shooting game wore duly licensed, so that a wholesome check may be put upon those who intended shooting without a license.

He was sure that if he wont into one district one day, and a second another day, and so on, it would have a good effect, no notice being given of his movements, so that he could not be evaded. The meeting concurred in the doctor's remarks, and the chairman said it ought to be advertised. On Tuesday last a lot of unlicensed men were banging away on his property. Mr Bridges said that on that day he saw three or four men with guns on the Governor’s Bay road, whom, he believed, had not taken out licenses to shoot.

The secretary gave the history of trout acclimatisation in Canterbury, by which it appeared that the first batch of ovawas present ;d to the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society by Dr. Officer, of the Royal Tasmanian Society, from which only three fish were hatched, thus refuting the statement made by Mr A. M. Johnson, that the first trout were introduced by him and at his private expense. This concluded the business.