ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1581, 30 November 1867, Page 2

ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the council of this society was held yesterday afternoon at the Mechanics' Institute. Present*—Messrs. Davis (chairman), Hill, Barker, Speedily, Packe, Stevens, Studholme, and the Curator (Mr Johnson).

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Tlie Curator reported that the following new members had joined since the last meeting :—Messrs H. Mellraith, A. Jameson, T. Bates, J. T Brown, J. C. Porter, T. Zrushaw, P. Lucas, J. W. Earle, W. Pieke, D. In wood, C. J. Martin, and W. G. Walker. The following contributions had also been received: —From Mr Tho*. Rowley, three white ferrets ; from Mrs J C Veel, two drinking cups and chains ; from Messrs D and J. Greer, eleven native ducks ; from J. Mallock, a ferret ; from M. D. Ferguson, a native duck; from Mr Wood, a diamond sparrow; and from Mr .Hawkins, twenty-one frogs. The monthly balance sheet was read It showed a balance to credit of £182 12s 4d. A letter was read from the Private Secretary of Sir George Grey, enclosing the reports of the inspectors of salmon fisheries in England and Wales. Mr Hill said that Mr Johnson had said nothing in the report about tho loss of the trout. It was a matter about which he felt strongly. If only one male and female fish had been obtained, the result of the late experiment might not have been a failure. Ordinary care had not been taken, and the money had consequently been thrown away. He should oppose any vote of money towards further expenditure. : Mr Picke considered that gross carelessness had been shown.

The Curator stated that the fish were not lost, as they must be in the lower ponds. Mr Hill very much doubted that fact. The eels in the lower ponds.would have most probably eaten them up. The Chairman considered that although they had failed once it should be no reaaon why they should not try again. It was decided that no more money should be spent at present. A letter was read from Messrs Packe Brothers, stating that they had received per Glenmark three white ferrets, one male and two femaleßj a present from Mr Thomas Rowley, of Willey Rectory, Shropshire, for the Canterbury Acclimatization Society, which they hoped would be accepted by them.

Mr Hill considered that the society owed their thanks to Mr Rowley for his valuable suggestion as to the importation of birds as well as for the present of ferrets. He would move that a vote of thanks should be passed to that gentleman. Mr Stevens seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Mr Speechly thought that a return of work done weekly in the garden should be made at the usual monthly meetings.

j The Curator stated that he had succeeded I in hatching out seventeen pheasants, only t'wa of which had been lost. The remainder were apparently in a very healthy condition The birds imported from England had not as yet hatched any young, although they were jV sitting. It was decided that no further expense should be at present incurred on the ponds. Mr Stevens would much like to know the. particular line of action which the society was likely to take ; whetherjthe funds should be used for the importation of fiah or birds, or what. The funds were very limited, and he thought it advisable that some definite line should be decided on.

The Chairman hoped that the funds of the society would be sufficient to introduce both birds and fish. It was decided that a sum not exceeding £7 be spent in the erection of entrance gates. It was decided that the Government should be applied to for £150, the remainder of the vote of £300 passed at the late meeting of the Provincial Council. The council then adjourned.