ACCLIMATIZATION.

Southland Times, Issue 672, 20 May 1867, Page 3

ACCLIMATIZATION.

A Committee meeting of the Acclimatization Society was held in the Government Buildings on Thursday, 25th ultimo. The secretary reported that he had communicated with the secretary of the Acclimatization Society in Otago, and with Dr Officer, the chairman of the salmon ova commissioners, Tasmania, in ; pursuance of resolutions passed at the last meeting, but had not yet received replies. The sub-committee brought up the following report : — The sub-committee appointed to consider and. report upon the beßt course in preparing for the reception of the trout ova from Tasmania, and generally upon eligible localities for breeding trout and Balmon, having considered the matter, and visited several localities, agreed that, with regard to trout ova, it would be advantageous to have one permanent breeding pond, iv which the breeding fish would be retained, and from which the ova or young fry could be distributed to other rivers — that Mr Butler offers to undertake the formation, and charge of such a pond, should be favorably considered. At the same time it recommends that some portion of the ova should be sent to at least two other localities, as stock for the waters there, and to increase the chances of success, or with a view to the ulterior formation of more thau one permanent breeding pond, localities being chosen which would be eminently favorable for both trout and salmon. It recommends this course in the belief that those minor and supplementary ponds which could be formed at a small expense could hereafter, without difficulty, be expanded into salmon breeding ponds when the society had the command of larger funds than it has at the present time. It thinks that it is advisable to rear salmon fry in the waters in which it is intended they shall continue to breed, rather than breed them in a main breeding pond, and subsequently expose them — delicate as they would be— to the danger of land carriage to streams at a distance. Ths most of the rivers in the Province appear to be well adapted for trout, some of them pre«eminently so— as well as being apparently most eligible for salmon. It is recommended that the ponds to be formed should be upon rivulets falling into the Waiau, the Makarewa, and the Matanra, and some eligible places upon each can be indicated — at Maraerua Plains, near the Waiau, a little way from the Mauawapouri Lake ; on Mopburn Flat, at tha Makarewa j and on the Wyndham, above its junction with the Mataura. The Committee does not donbt that there are many other localities equally eligible, but those named are well Buited for the object, and have the advantage of residents in the immediate neighborhood who will undertake the charge. J. A. B. MENZIE3. D. M'Abthtjb. April, 1867. On the motion of Mr Lumsden, seconded by Mr M'Pherson, the report was adopted. The secretary informed the committee that Messrs Butler, Hill, and "Wentworth, were willing to erect salmon ponds contiguous to their residences, carry the ova from the vessel to the ponds, and take charge of the ova during the time of hatching, at their own cost. The sub-committee were requested to ascertain the probable cost of making salmon ponds, and the Secretary to obtain the consent of some eligible gentleman at Auckland to act as agent for the society in obtaining and forwarding the animals and birds promised by His Excellency. The number of members was stated to be forty-eight. Since the above meeting was held, the committee has been most energetic, every member evincing a desire to exert himself to ensure the success of the institution. Dr Menzies and Mr M' Arthur, members of the society, have visited the locality on the Makarewa river, recommended as suitable for trout and salmon breeding and rearing ponds. They concluded it to be adaptable for the purpose, and not to lose time, instructed Mr Dawson, the Eoad Engineer, who accompanied them, to take the necessary levels, and estimate the cost of forming the pounds.