ACCLIMATISATION.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 125, 30 August 1866, Page 5

ACCLIMATISATION.

{To the Editor of the Bruce Herald.) Sir, — The- letter signed 'Colonus' in your paper of Augnst the 9th, in reference to the above subject, I think calls for some remarks which may possibly put both the subject and also the operations of the Otago Acclimatisation Society in a rather more favourable light than the letter of Colonus does. I may first mention that the society has now been in existence above two years, during' which time, it hud to overcome great difficulties from the want of funds, and other sources of support. It must be clear to all, that on starting" any new undertaking of the nature of an Acclimatisation Society, many expenses have to be met, the first year or so, such as fencing 1 , buildings, books, advertising, <fec v which do not require to be incurred again for years and perhaps never. During the first two years of the of the Society's existence, the total receipts from all sources were only £029 11s., of this £585 9s Id was expended ; the Society having some good substantial buildings (insured,) aviaries, a large amount of fencing, a quantity of land cleared, together with sundry works on the Society's g-rounds to show. During" the above period the following stock have heen libera ted in various parts of the Province, two dozen pheasants, two dozen Australian magpies, 19 guinea-fowls, Australian owls, laughing jackasses, a black swan, rabbits, and medicinal leeches. They have also forwarded native birds to England, Victoria and Chili, for purpose of exchange ; and also native birds to various parts of the world. At the present time various kinds of choice poultry are being bred for the purpose of distribution, or sale, as may be decided upon. They have also blackbirds, thrushes, skylarks and jackdaws, which will be liberated when in fit condition, and over 4,000 trees have been planted in various parts of the Society's grounds. Now, Sir, I think ' Colonus' must admit the Society has not been idle, and did he but know the great difficulties that have to be overcome to do even this, I am quite sure he would think differently of the Society's labors. All the Acclimatisation Societies in the various Colonies receive, great assistance, by the public giving them donations of native birds, &c, which enables them to make profitable exchanges with other countries ; to such an extent was this kind of assistance given the Victorian Society, that they had to decline accepting; further donations of some kinds of stock, not knowing what to do with them. The Otago Society have advertised to the effect, that they will be thankful to receive donations of n;itiv r e birds for purpose of exchange, and I am sorry to say the result was nil. If any of our readers could send, or induce any of their friends to send the Society any of the following native birds, they would be doing a very great service. Paradise-ducks, mountain-ducks, woodhens, tuis, ka-kas, also native seeds. I will now notice a few remarks of c Colonus.' I think he is under a mistake in supposing New Zealand possesses any species of laughing-jackass, as I believe now exists, except the king-fisher which is allied. The bird he mentions is evidently the mope-hawk, or more-pork, it is a night bird ; whereas the laughing-jack-ass is a day bird, the former bird lives on moths, and the latter on all kinds of grubs and mice, it will even even attack and kill young rats (of which we have too many.) I have seen a laughing-jackass kill a young rat, half grown as quickly as any terrier could do it. It is said that they kill the snakes in Australia. ' Colonus' says, he does not know the Australian magpie. Tn Australia it is called the Farmer's Friend, and it is without doubt one of the most valuable birds that can be introduced into the colony. It lives almost entirely on grubs, worms, caterpillars, and insects ofwhich it destroys unlimited quantities. With reference to the beneficial effects to the colony, by the introduction of such game as mentioned by ( Colonus' there can be no doubt, and the. Society are endeavouring to obtain such, and as I before stated, have already liberated neai'ly double the number of of pheasants that constituted the original stock of the thousands that have been shot at Auckland, and which were only liberated a few years since. My authority being the Secretary of the Auckland Society. Attempts are being made to introduce all the different kinds of procurable game, and I trust will be successful. With regard to game-laws, the only ones in existence in the Province are — first one which prohibits the destruction of imported birds, and second, which prohibits shooting- native game during* the breeding season. There can be no hardship or injustice in either of these laws, as they can only tend to benefit the entire community. There need be no fear that any attempt will be made to do more than to protect for the benefit of all, still less that such attempt would become law. The work written by Mr Warterton mentioned by /'Colonus,' I have read, I wish there were a few more like Mr Warterton, and I would also recommend all those interested in the welfare of New Zealand, to protect all the small birds as Mr Wartertop did ; in destining them we are losing the best friends the farmer and gardener possesses. It is tvn? that during the first season, our little friends seem to think they have a right to their

share, and if not driven away they get it. It must be borne in mind, that it it were not for the birds feeding the caterpillars, grubs, flies, and blight of every description during 1 the whole cf the year, there would not be any fruit for us. The greatest friend sheep has is man, he feeds and protects the sheep, but at the same time he robs the sheep of his coat, and as a wind-up, cuts its throat. The farmer's crops, and the gardener's fruit-trees stand in as much need of the birds, as do the sheep the protection of man, for were it not for the protection of man, the sheep would soon be destroyed, and if it were not for the birds, the crops would fall short, and there would be no fruit. The suggestion of ' Colonus,' ' that a pretty extensive piece of ground at a fitting distance from the more closely populated localities should be devoted by the government for the purpose of acclimatisation,' is answered by the facts, .that although such a piece of land was actually so appro priated by the Provincial Council, the gift was revoked during the last session of the Council. To the further suggestion, 'That the Government should come down with a handsome sum/ The advertisement in another portion of your columns, stating ' that the Council have promised to supplement the subscriptions of the public in the ratio of £2 for every £1 subscribed,' will be a sufficient reply, and I would suggest to ' Colonus,' or any other earnest advocate of acclimatisation, that he cannot more effectually further the cause than by subscribing as liberally as he can afford himself, and inducing as many of his friends and acquaintances to do the same, bearing in mind that £2 for every £1, is a very good return for outlay. I am, &c. G. P. CLIFFORD, Manager to the Acclimatisation Society. Dunedin, August 20, 18G6.