ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2699, 1 December 1882, Page 4

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

An ordinary meeting of tho council of the Acclimatisation Society was held on Wednesday, at 3.30 p.m, at the Commercial Hotel. Present—Mr John Marshman (in the chair), Messrs J. C. Boys, P. J. Kimbell, Dr. Prankish, and S. C. Parr (hon. sec). Accounts amounting to ,£l4 5s were passed for payment. A satisfactory telegram from the Secretary of the Gisborne Acclimatisation Society was read, which stated that the trout sent had arrived safely, only a small per-centago having died on the passage. It wa3 remarked that there was nothing to prevent the fish being sent by steamer with safety to any part of the colony. Letters were read :

From ths Eev. A. E. D. Tosswill, Waikari, stating that nearly all the 500 trout recently sent were dead when taken from the railway station, and asking for another grant. The Secretary Btated that ho had taken every precaution, wiring Mr Tosswill when the fish were put on the train, and that, with ordinary care, such a result should not have obtained. The application wa3 refused.

From Mr Alfred Pigeon, Meadowbank, St. Andrew's, asking for a grant of trout for that locality. It was decided that as St. Andrew's belonged more properly to tho Tixnaru Society, that the application be not complied with. From the President of the Queenstown Acclimatisation Society, asking for ten brace of pheasants. The request to be acceded to when the birds are fit for removal.

From Mr P. Cunningham, asking for 500 large trout for the Eoekwood rivers. Granted, conditionally Jon the trout at the society's disposal being considered sufficiently large, and the Secretary promised to seeMr*Junningham on the matter. From Mr E. W. Graham, of Queensland, acknowledging safe receipt of the pheasants sent him, stating that he had a lot of wild goese, and some ready for the Canterbury Society ; that he expected shortly to get several varieties of ducks and other birds, and asking what arrangements he should make for sending them to Canterbury. It was decided to write to Mr Hill, who is now in Sydney, asking him to receive them at that port, and make the necessary arrangements for their transit to Canterbury. Dr. Frankisb was glad to hear that MiGraham would send all the birds he could get from time to time. Perhaps he could eend them some snipe ? Mr Boys reminded the Council that a resolution was on the books to give the sua! of £1 for every healthy snipe sent to the Association. Perhaps, if this was known in Australia, they would yet get plenty. Tho Secretary said he had been told there were a number of pigeons of a beautiful variety called the " Bleeding heart" could bo obtained from Australia.

Dr, Prankish thought it hardly worth while to buy pigeons. At the same time, ho was glad to inform the Council that the Murrumbidgee pigeons turned out a little time since at Lake Forsyth had been seen in the bush, and were apparently doing well.

From the Colonial Secretary's office, stating that ferrets could be disposed of when the secretary thought their numbers warranted it.

From the Domain Board, stating that it was not deemed advisable to grant permission to members of the society or others to fish the river within the Domain boundaries, on the score that it would interfere with preserving the birds and fish. Tho Secretary reported that tench wore being caught in the Horseshoe Lake, which was illegal, seeing the fishing licenses included trout only. He also called attention to the fact that salmon were being caught and sold every day. Mr Boys was not sorry the facilities afforded for the introduction of English salmon ova would soon give them better salmon than those at present in Canterbury waters. Tho Secretary stated that he was in daily expectation of the consignment of brook and lake trout from Mr E. J. Creighton. He also reported that the trout distributed this season numbered 37,550, and that between 7000 and 8000 were still available.

It was agreed that 500 be sent to the river Hawkins, 500 to Motanau, 1000 to Ashbuvton, 1000 to the Baugiora Main Drain, and 500 to the White Bock creek. : The Secretary asked for instructions about two large amounts owing to the society. He was instructed to make a final application for payment, which, if unsuccessful, should bo followed up by the usual B.M. Court process. This was all the business.