ACCLIMATISATION.

Press, Volume IX, Issue 1083, 28 April 1866, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION.

The usual monthly meeting of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday. Present —Dr. Haast (chairman), Messrs. Packe, G-ould, Stevens, Murray-Aynsley, Speechlv, Davie, and Had. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary stated that since the last meeting the following contributions had been received :—A paradise duck, from a gentleman ; a bat from the Fiji Islands, from Mr. Rayner, of Lyttelton; a pair of black swans, from Dr. Mueller, of Melbourne; a collection of seeds, trees and shrubs, consisting of 180 varieties, from the Fiji Islands, from Mr. Adams ; Scotch heath and California prairie, grass, from Mr. Hislop; a quantity of cuttings from the Cupressus Torulosa, by Mrs J. C. Wilson ; a variety of the cypress, from the Himalaya mountains j a sea gull, frbm Mr. J. G. Cotton; and a pair of bantam fowls, from Mr. Trahern. A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, stating it as his opinion that the order in Council prohibiting the introduction of poultry, did not apply to small birds. The letter suggested that the society should apply to Mr. Hamilton for further information. A letter had accordingly been sent to the Collector of Customs, and in reply he had stated that he was not prepared to state what interpretation might be put upon the word " poultry," and suggested that the society should write to the Commissioner of Customs to ascertain if game were to be included under the name of poultry. The following letter was read from Dr. Mueller :—-" The Pittos Poria are such lovely, hardy, and quick growing plants, that thousands of these plants are wanted for our cemeteries, town churches, and schools, hence I accept the seed you so kindly offer with the utmost gratitude. As a commencement of a reciprocation, I beg to offer 3011 two collections of seeds and shrubs and trees, which will at least be useful to yon for interchanges if you should not want them yourselves. The native flax is now in abundance here, but we have not a single plant of the Arabia Schalfilira. Dicksonia Antartica is very common in Victoria, but we have no cyathia dealbata here. If these plants are packed, the roots having been soaked in water for a night, they would arrive in safety, and might be sent here under tho care of a friendly captain of any vessel free of charge. I have a gully or ravine which I am anxious to dress with specimens of this '■ plant. Some annuals will ere long be sent by myself under the care of tho captain of the Albion; others will be sent through the Victorian Accliuiatisation Society."

. The Secretary stated that he had written to the Commissioner of Customs at Wellington fur a definition of the word " poultry.' It was mentioned that Mr. Marshman had been authorised to pay Mr. Hill, on account of the Government, the sum of £100, for the purchase of some small birds. Mr. Johnson, the curator, was also authorised, provided the reply received from the Commissionor of Customs was favorable, to remit the sum of £o0 to Mr. Hill for a like purpose. It was decided that the black swans lately presented to the society should be presented to Mrs. Deans, of Ricearton, as an acknowledgment of the services rendered by her to the society, and also as a compensation to her tor the birds of hers which had strayed away with the swans belonging to the society. It was stated that some of tho black swans had strayed into the Marlborough province ; a suggestion was thrown out that the Government of that province should be communicated with with reference to their preservation. Some discussion arose as to the advisability of sending over the Curator to Banks Peninsula to procure some pheasants and some ferns for presentation to Dr. Mueller. It was decided that the consideration of the matter should stand over until after the annual meeting, to be held on next Monday week, the 7th of May, at half-past seven. The" question of sinking an artesian well, for the purpose of supplying the fish, was ordered to stand over nntil next meeting. Mr. Deßourbel having offered to procure some seeds, plants and shrubs, from the Himalaya mountains, provided the society would pay the expense of carriage, it was decided that Mr. Deßourbel be requested to obtain some seeds, and that the sum of £15 be guaranteed for the expense. It was decided that some guinea fowls should 'be presented to Mr. Henry Eedwood, of Nelson. The following gentlemen were appointed a i committee to draw-up the annual report:— I Messrs. Haast, Speechly, Davie, Gould and Macfavian. It was decided that as several of the swans had strayed to the Horseshoe lake, advertisements should be inserted in the papers cautioning persons against destroying them. The Curator mentioned that he had sent to Melbourne for some magpies. The Secretary was requested to forward the thanks of the society to Mr. Fleming, for his kindness in offering his assistance in obtaining pheasants. The balance sheet was read, showing a credit of £58 13s 7d. The meeting then separated.