ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.
Otago Witness , Putanga 2515, 28 Haratua 1902, Page 50
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ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.
The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council of the Orago Acclimatisation Soc'ety, held on Friday afternoon, was attended by Messrs A. C. Begs? (in the chair) . F R. Chapman, J. Sinclair-Thomson, R. (Jhisholm, J. Edgar. A. C. Stronach, and R. Foirest. Mr A. E. Farquhar telegraphed an apology for not attending. THK MAUI.VE FISH HAIfHKKV. Mr F. R. Chapman moved — "That the resolution of this council to withdraw its oifpr to contribute to the cost of establishing a marine fish hatchery be rescinded, and that the original offer stand." Speaking on the motion, Mr Chapman said he i nought the resolution had been passed uncW a misapprehension. From what he had read in flip pres-, it appeared that the society was under the impression that it would bave no representation on the Board of Management which the Government propospd to conconstitute. That was a mistake. The .society and the Ota go Institute were to have equal representation on this proposed hoard, and all that the Government stipulated was that it should have a preponderance of representation. He had seen Mr Hall-Jones, and he had said that it was quite understood that these two bodies should have equal representation. The Government would appoint three representatives and the society and the institute would appoint cue each. Ho was quite willing, however, that they bhould appoint three members between them, and in that case the Government would appoint four. Personally, he (Mr Chapman) did not think the question of preponderance of representation was very material, an it was improbable that there would be any conflict of interest-!. The withdrawal of the council had <ome ns a surprise to the Otago Institute, which was prepared to stand by its offer. He thought there were strong reasons why the council o« the }-cci<'ty >hould aNo .stand to it- original offer to cMitribnte. It had been a reproach — although an undeserved reproach — that the st'ti^ty confined it- attention to the culture and care of river fibh. It had been driven to that becauhe rabbit poisoning and other agencies had destroyed nearly all the birds au.l other subjects of acclimatisation they h<>d from time to time introduced. Nothing would more strongly convince the public of the usefulness of "the society than that it «hould co-operate with the Government in such an important and such an interesting project as the e-tablibhment of a marine fish hdtthery. The Otago In-titute had conic forward, although not endowed so liberally with funds a- the Acclimatisation Society, and made a liberal contribution. It did so from purely scientific motives and lie thought the society owed it to itselt to stand by itb original resolution. The Chairman said that the resolution withdrawing their offer had been passed on the understanding that the Government liarl declined to allow the society :•.■>}• part in the management of the hatch-siy. ami that they demanded full control. Mr R. Forrest seconded the motion. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried. On the motion of Mr Chapman, Mr Chisholm was appointed the representative of the council. Mr Dean.s. nmirger for the society, reported as follows: —'' The stock fish have commenced °r>~ v. ning, and a few thousand ch have br.eu cLU^yjed, both at CJmloii &nd
i Opoho. The Loehleven fry have been draftee! and a few hundred of the largest liberated in the Waiwera. We are cleaning out the ponds thoroughly as we go along. On emptying the one containing the affected! salmon, we found that the trouble had again made its appearance, as we found several affected ones. It will be remembered that it was at th,is time last year that the malady was first discovered, and although the Government Veterinary Department has been h.vestigating the matter for some time, so far as I am aware it has been unable to find! out what the disease is or the cause of itv I would therefore recommend that they be liberated in the Molyneux, where they cam get straight to sea: this is probably what is needed. Some suggest that they should be destroyed for fear of contagion, but. I do not think there is any fear of that;" besides, I think it would be a pity to sacrifice the sr.hnon, as the unaffected ones look' strong and healthy. Mr M'Cormack is proceeding with the new hatchery, and is making a substantial job, but as some parts of the foundation have to be put much deeper thanwas at first expected more gravel and cement wilt be required before all the necessary -works ; are completed. The hatching boxes will be . supported on concrete pillars, and a concrete ! sluice has been put in whore the water for the hatcheries is lifted from the race. . I -would recommend that the. race, leading from "- Xo 1 pond to the other ponds lie lined with concrete, a.« that part of "the ground is very porous aud shaky, and there has always been ■a considerable- teakage from that source. This, ■of course, -was not included in the recommendations of the A 7 isiting Committee. The length of the race is a little over a chain from No. 1 pond to the point where the three junctions, are to be put in with concrete. Mr Chapman suggested that the salmon should be liberated in the Waiau. Mr Chisholm questioned whether it would be a wise step to liberate the fish at all in a river" where their disease might contaminate other fish. The Chairman thought the fish would be all right when- they got to the salt water. Mr Chisbolm taid for the past 20 years fish had been reared successfully, and this was the first time the disease had shown itself. If it was only the want of sea water the disease would have appeared long ago. It was decided to. turn the salmon out in the Clutha River, and to line the race with, concrete. The report was then adopted. The meeting confirmed the executive's appointment of Mr J. Stevens as curator. A telegram was read from Mr L. P. Ayson, chief inspector of fisheries, statingthat the Agricultural Department wanted a pair of hen pheasants, and asking if th» society could supply them, and if so at; what price. — It was decided to forward the pheasants free of charge. Mr T. .E. Donne, of the Tourist Department, wrote stating that during laife year Mr Ayton had obtained from acclimatisation "Societies throughout the colony promises of financial support to the Government for. the importation of game." This "matter had -now been handed over ta his department. He found that the probable amount offered by the societies, would- .not exceed- .£1600, to which the Government was prepared 'to contribute an equal .sum. Inquiries ■ had' -beerf made, and it was fouud that to import -some of each of the classes of irame- ,wiiqh , the ' different societies~had asked for would pro. bably cost £5000, wlu'eh amount was far in excess of the fund? available. The matter hud been' submitted to the Government, ant! Jl had been decided that of the auimals and game suggested for importation tiie most; suitable that could at present be acquired would be mooso and wapiti, duck and wild goose. He had been directed to bring the suggestion to import tome of these classes under the society' 1 ? notie? for consideration mid to ascertain whether the society would be prepared to assist the Government in this direction, and if so to what amount. He vould be glad to receive, f-uggestions, bufc pointed out that unless the funds offered by the societies were to be largely increased demands for such a large variety of game as was a^ked fo.- k.=t year could not but result in the failure of the Government's efforts to as-ist the societies. Ihe Chair-nan said the society had agreed, to contribute £100 towards the expenses. He understood the Government had introduced a number of moobe deer on the We,sfc Coast, and ho did not think it desirable* to import many more until it was seen that that experiment wu« a eiiccess. Mr Stronach said he supported the idea of mountain sheep, which the society iiacl previously di-.eus»ed. They were very difficult to apmoach. and inhabited only very higli country. They would not interfere with sheep on the runs. The Chairman said if the opening of the shooting season were po=tponed it would do a great deal more good than importhigr ducks. The ducks were being killed off rapidly. Wild geese were good birth,- bufc they were migiatory. and it would he a. question whether they would stay in the colony. He did not know (hat they would be any better than the wild swan«. Mr Chisholm .■aid it was no iue thinking of spending money on the importation of I small game, for the Government had taken I measures to kill off small game by the importation of stoats and weasels. Mr Thomson had stated to him that the Californian quail were almost extinct on his property as a result of the introduction of these rodents. If the society was to vote £100 foi tho destruction of theae pests, then he might agree. The society would do better to lestrict itself to the bigger game. It was decided, on Mr Chishohn r s motion, tto- adhere to the r ve vious arrangement ofcontributing £100 for the -introduction of moose, wapiti, and mountain sheep, aiu> that the society 'would not 'contribute anything towards the introduction of ducks. The meeting also resolved to instruct Mr Deans to provide tome native birds for the aiary at tho gardens. A prospectus of Hudson's book on fhe New Zealand nouroptera, with application to the uics of the insecta for angling, was received, and it was decided to procure a cony. Mr Chisholm <=aid he had a motion to move which he thought would meet with, the entire approval of the council. They all knew that Mr George Marshall had been' a member of the society for years, and a> very active member of the council for some vrars past. In view of what had transpired lately he thought if. only right to pass a resolution such" as he would now propose: — '"That thi-» council desires to place on record their deencst eympathv with Mr G. M. Marshall under the painful and distressing o.ircumstance= connected with the death of his vife. and that a letter eontainine this resolution bo forwarded to Mr Marshall." Air R. Forre.pt seconded the motion, which' v.t> c agreed to unanimously. Several small accounts were passed fo? i;a: i^eat. &fid tke meatiest tdiomrnecU
