ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2007, 30 July 1880, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday, at 3,30 p.m. Present—Sir Oraoroft Wilson (in the chair), Messrs Charters, Stoddart, Bridges, Farr, Webb, Cogan, and Carriok. A conversation took place as regarded the netting of rivers by fishermen, and the secretary stated that he had written to the Government, asking them to legislate against this being done until the Californian salmon, which had been found to exist in the Biver Cam, at Kaiapoi, had become thoroughly acclimatised in New Zealand waters. The secretary read the letter he had sent to the Government on the matter, and stated that ho had received no reply. Mr Stoddart stated that the persons who had gone up to the Waimakariri to ascertain whether Californian salmon existed or not, had found out that stakes were in the river, and looked as though they had been used for many months. Mr Cogan said it was well known that salmon bad been caught and sold in Kaiapoi for months past. Mr Stoddart said that the nets were herring nets, and stretched across the river so as to prevent fish going np the river. The Chairman said that unless the Government backed up the society their work would ho entirely thrown away. Mr Stoddart said that he had caught the fish taken in the Cum in California very often, and ho was of opinion that it was Californian sea trout, which was a very valuable fish. There was no doubt that the fish were the product of the ova sent by the American Society, He had seen the fish often in California.

The members of tho Council expressed themselves as to the necessity of the Government taking some steps to prevent the fish being exterminated by illegal netting. Mr Spackman forwarded a letter enclosing £2 for trout culture only. The money was desired by Mr Spackman to be put under the head of “ affidavit money,” and he trusted that other solicitors would do the same. On tho suggestion of Mr Webb it was resolved —“ That the secretary request tho Anglers’ Society to forward a full written report of their proceedings with respect to the search for salmon, so as to remain as a record on the minutes of the society.” On the motion of Mr Charters a vote of thanks was accorded to tho gentlemen who took part in the experiment. A letter was read from Mr Howe, of Lyttelton, calling attention to the fact that the boys were destroying the blight birds and makomako with a dangerous weapon called a catapult. It was resolved that the attention of the Inspector of Police should be called to the contents of Mr Howe’s letter.

The Secretary reported that the ota sent to Auckland had arrived safely. Mr Carriok would like to see the ova introduced into the West Coast rivers—the Hokitika and Teremakau. There was a very

large number of beautiful streams on the West Coast, and he thought it would be a graceful act to give them some ova. After some discussion, Mr Oarrick moved—“ That in the distribution of trout the West Coast rivers be considered in stocking ; tbo secretary to communicate with some one in Hokitika as to making arrangements for their carriage and distribution.” Mr Bridges seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Webb said that he thought they should consider the question of having a pond made in which to rear the fish to a sufficient sice to enable them to defend themselves. He would move—“ That the secretary bo requested to make enquiries as to thoc(*t of the formation of a pond such as stated by Mr Stoddart.” Carried.

Mr Farr moved—“ That the society engage the services of a collector at 10 per cent, to solicit subscriptions.” Mr Charters seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Secretary mentioned that the Canterbury society had spent over £12,000 since its establishment, in the cause of acclimatisation. The meeting then adjourned.