ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2184, 24 February 1881, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council of the above was held yesterday at 4 p.m., at the Commercial Hotel. Present—Sir Cracroft Wilson (president), Messrs Garrick, Marsbman, Eimbeli, Webb, Peacock, Acland, Parr (bon. secretary), Dr. Britten, Dr. Frankish. The Secretary stated that he had looked through the Acclimatisation Protection Act, 1873, and fonnd that the application of Mr Eimbeli for the Christchurch Hunt Club could not be granted. The clause stated most distinctly that the permission could not be given. Mr Cariick thought that an Act had been passed since 1873. Mr Farr said that he did not think so.

Mr Marshman said this was a shifting of the date from which the three months should commence. The clause stated that game should not be shot or coursed during more than throe months during the year. The secretary was instructed to look up the Acts on the subject, and see if any legislation had taken place since 1873. On the motion of the Hon. J. T. Peacek, seconded by Dr. Frankish, it was agreed to alter the hour of meeting to 3.30 p.m. A letter was read from the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, asking that the Council would agree with them as to the dates of seasons, &o. They proposed the shooting for native game to commence on Ist April to 31st July. Mr Webb pointed ont that [the Hawke’s Bay Society had fixed their native game season opening on Ist May, Dr. Frankish moved—“ That the season for native game be from the Ist April to the 31st July.” Mr Kimbell seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The letter then went on to propose that hares should he hunted, shot, and coursed from Ist May to 31st July, at a fee of 10s for coursing and £1 tor shooting. It was agreed after some discussion that the Council should adhere to the coursing fee of 10s for the first dog, and 5s for any further number of dogs the property of one owner.

The Council then proceeded to discuss the question of shooting hares, as proposed by the South Canterbury meeting, from Ist May to 31st July, license fee £l. Mr Kimbell pointed out that the hares were very numerous in the South. Mr Acland said that on the Styx the bares were exceedingly numerous, far too numerous for coursing. Hon. J. T. Peacock advocated that the fee for shooting hares should be £2 10s. Mr Eimbell said that he thought the best way would be to have one license embracing all game. Mr Acland suggested that £3 license fee should be charged for the shooting of all game. Dr. Frankish thought that they should have a close season for pheasants. Mr Carrick supported the close season. Dr. Britten thought that if they did this they would have people shooting pheasants, and selling them as North Island birds. Dr. Frankish said except in the hills ho had been unable to discover that there were any birds this season. Certainly there were none on tho plains, and he should oppose the granting of any permits to shoot pheasants except on the Peninsula. Hon. J. T. Peacock said he had not seen or heard a pheasant for a long time. Mr Kimbell corroborated Mr Peacock’s remarks. Hon. J. T. Peacock thought they should impose a foe of £2 10s for tho shooting of hare*. Dr. Frankish thought if they had an open season they would find that they would not have a pheasant left. He would move “That cook pheasants be shot only in the Peninsula for one month.” He knew that pheasants were very plentiful in the Peninsula, and one holder of land there had told him that the breeding season had been tho most snooesifnl that had been for many years. He would add ro hi* motion " That the season open on Ist of June to the 30th June, with the license fee £2 10s.” , , .. Mr Carrick would be glad to eeeond the proposition. Mr Acland moved, as an amendment—-

“ That no pheasants be shot at all during tho ensuing season.”

Dr. Frankish said that he was quite prepared to withdraw his resolution in favor of a close season.

In reply to Mr Acland, Mr Farr said the license fees for pheasant shooting produced over £4OO last year. Hon. J. T. Peacock was in favor of Dr. Frankish’s resolution being carried. Dr. Frankish said that the South Canterbury Society were going to shoot pheasants for one month, limited only by the Biver Waitaki on the one side and the Rangitata on the other.

Mr Farr thought that this would never check shooting on the plains. Dr. Britten would move—“ That pheasant shooting be allowed all over the plains during one month.”

Dr. Frankish, after some discussion, withdrew his motion in favor of Mr Acland’s proposition, which was seconded by Mr Kimbell and agreed to. The next season will be therefore a close one for pheasants. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Oar* rick, that the season for shooting hares be during the months of June and July, the license fee to be £l, and that the secretary communicate the same to the South Canterbury Society; Dr. Frankish alone recording his vote with the Does.

Dr. Frankish then moved—“ That it be a close season for Californian quail.” Mr Oarrick seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The next question to be discussed was that there should be ono license for tho Canter, bury district.

Mr Kimbell thought that this should be agreed to. Mr Acland pointed out that if the South Canterbury Society began in May the licenses would not ran. Dr. Frankish said that the licenses would of course only be used in this part of the district daring the months on which it was an open season. Ho would move —" That the coursing and shooting licenses run thronghont tho whole of the district of Canterbury.” Mr Kimbell seconded the motion, which was carried.

Dr. Chilton’s communication was deferred till next meeting. Mr Webb’s motion respecting the improvement of the gardens, so at to render them more attractive as a place of public resort, was referred to the garden committee to report at next meeting. The Council then adjourned.