ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2441, 1 February 1882, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual meetin? of the above was held at the City Hotel on Tuesday night. Present— Messrs J. H. Hill (n the ohair), T. D-. Acland, 8. O. Farr, Bridges, Drs. Britten and Fiankish. The Secretary read the annual report as follows : Your Council begs to submit the eighteenth annual report for the year ending December, 13S1. _As will be seen by the balance sheet, the financial position of the society is ia a most unsatisfactory stite. In trout hatching this year we have again been successful, about 40,000 being reared at the society's fish house, while a large number of young fry have been seen in. many of the streams, leaving no doubt whatsoever that the trout supply for the future ia thoroughly established, and your Council is sorry tb»t want of funds has prohibited the introduction of many other most useful kinds of fish, especially some of the noted fi- h from America, which by the regular and speedy transit now at disposal by the mail steamers could easily be secured. It is to be hoped that the New Zealand - Government will see the necessity of providing such means, for a fojd supply which shall prove adequate to the annual increa-e cf our population. The Ligurian bees, amid all thepro§ andcons, have thriven and proved themselves indefatigable workers and most prolific; although condemned by some as rebbers, we question if it can be proved that they are worse th»n the black bee, while they excel in the qnautity of honey they gather. About thirty young b'rds have bees r-iared from the recently impirted pheasants, and your Council trusts that this new strain will prove beneficial wherever they may be liberated. During the year it has been quite coaipnlsory to erect new ftviarite, the old ones having become so dilapidated, of nece-hi-y, had to be pnlleal down, and, although we could ill afford the expense, there is no donbt that it will very soon prove to be a reproductive work. Through the interest of C. Whitefoord. Esq, K.M., ofr Kaiapoi, the society has received a pair of fine deer from Tasmania, at a cost of .£3O. It haa been decided to turn them out on the Culverdea estate, where two does have been running some years; the new deer, with their progeny, to remain the property of the scciety. The < hanks of the society are justly due to Mr Whitefoord, and also his father, who evinced tbe greatest interest ia the matter, gave much time, end took great trouble to make it a success. Thanks are also due to F. Back, i-sq., Railway Manager, as also the employes on the Railway, for their consideration and attention to those who have distributed fish throughout the district during the season. It is our painful duty to place on record, ere we close this report, tfee. death of our late chairman, Sir J. Cracroffc Wilson, which took place on the 2nd day of March. He was one cf the founders of this society, evtr had its interests at heatt, and from his position rendered that service which few others could, and his enthusia- m in all the society's matters will not soon be forgotten. He presided at the meeting of the Council on the 23rd of February for tbe last time. In. conclusion, your Council would again recommend that a bonus be given to the curator, when funds will allow, for his especial work ia fish culture, in which he has been bo successful. S. C. Faeb, Hon. Secreta-y and Treasurer. Christchnrch, 31st December, 1881. The Secretary also read the balance-sheet, from which it appeared that the receipts had been £765 10s 2d, including an overdraft off £4l 8s 41 during the year, and the disbursements £764 lis, leaving a balance of £1 7s 3d in hand. The balance shef t was audited by the district auditor, Mr Ollivier. The Chairman moved-" That the report and balance sheet be adopted." Mr Acland seoocded the motion, which was agreed to. A telegram was received from Mr Boys, stating that be was unable to attend, and Dr. Frankish apologised for the absence of Mr Kimbell. Tbe following gentlemen were elected as tbe office bearers of the society :—Via.— Council Messrs Peaoock, Hill, Bridges, Carries, Acl»nd, Boys, Farr, Webb, Kimbell, Marahman, Drs. Frankish and Britten.

It was resolved—" That the thanks of the BOciit* ":-" siven to Mr Coofcson far his kindness :l providing a room, and to Mr Ollivier for aviiitsng the accounts. Tbfl general meeting then terminated. A meeting of the newly elected Council wa* then held, Mr Hill in the chair.

Hoj. J. T. Peacock was elected president, and Mr Hill and Dr. Frankish a* vioe-preri-dents. Mr 8. O. Farr was re-eleoted as secretary and treasurer, a warm eulogium being passed to Mr Farr for his valuable servioei. The assistant secretary was also re-appointed, and Mr Starkiss as curator. The following gentlemen were appointed as the garden committee : Drs. Frankish and Britten, the president and the secretary.

Dr. Frankish sujfg.-sted that, in view of the low ebb at which the funds of the society had arrived, the gardens should be turned into a sort of zjol pi-.al gsrdeDS. He then moved—" That it is desirable that the members of the House of Bepresentativea for this city be requested to use their best endeavori to obtain daring the coming session of Parliament such legislation as will enable this society to make a small charge for admission to the society'e grounds." Saveral members spoke in favor of the motion reing given notice of. Dr. Frankioh pointed out that in Victoria the course he had proposed had been a success, and the Government had voted £2OOO in aid of the importation of animals. Mr Acland suggested that the matter should be referred to a small committee.

Dr. Frankish said he would give notice of motion, and he would also more that the chairman, Mr Acland, and himielf have an interview with Professor Strong on the matter, and report to next meeting of the Council as to the question of forming a xoolo* gicil society. Dr. Britten seconded the motion, which wu agreed to. The Secretary stated he had received arequest from the Colonial Secretary, asking whether the society would agree to the removal of all restrictions as to shooting hares. Mr Bridges said that if the restrictiona were removed from shooting hares they should apply to the GoTerairent to impose a gun tax. The Chairman said that he should like to seo the gun tax introduced. It was reeolved —" That the Government be informed that the society cannot recommend the entire throwing open of the season, but that any cases of individual hardship would bo favorably considered by the society, and recommended to the Government. The society further recommended that the season be extended to five months—from April to August."

The secretory stated that Mr Mase field had promised to placs ar.y quantity of ova on board any chip that might be selected by the> society. He also mentioned that the putting rhc eswduet in the Little River killed the fish, and also thr»t the shallows in Lake Forsyth, were being filled from the same cause. The Council then wTourned.