ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2853, 30 September 1874, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon, at the Public Library. Present—Messrs Johnston (in ths chair), Jamieson, Sir J. C. Wilson, Dr Campbell, and S. O. Farr (hon sec). , The Chairman said that the Domain Board were doing all in their power to destroy the pheasantß breeding, by employing men to cut away the shrubbery in the park. But for this, it was his belief that a large number of pheasants would have bred there this year. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The secretary read a letter from Colonel Packe, chief ranger, recommending the appointment of Messrs J. S. Monk, Sumner; E. 8. Coster, Blackford Station, Rakaia, and F. H. Digby, Christchurch, as rangers. It was resolved to forward these names to his Honor the Superintendent. The name of Mr. Johp Boys, of Rangiora, was also added to the list. A letter was read from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society forwarding two copies of that society's report for the year ending the 28th of February last, and 1 asking for some repbrte w_F_ea~£he reports asked for.

The report from the curator was read, stating that the young salmon had grown in a very disproportionate manner, some being ten inches in length and others only three.

He enclosed a plan for a floating salmon cage, at a cost of abont £25, suitable for confining the fish for many years if necessary, and admitting of their spawning naturally, the eggs being collected and artificially hatched. The cage would also be adapted for Conveying the salmon to the Sumner rocks, where an enclosure might be made. If the council felt a reluctance in voting the

money for the cage on the ground that it was of an experimental character, and likely to prove a failure, he would be prepared to make it at his own expense. Sixty-two young perch, averaging three inches in length, had been liberated in the Upper Avon. About 3700 trout had been hatched out. A few hundred of the earliest hatched trout would be ready for disposal in about a month, end he would suggest that the fish remaining unsold at the end of the season be liberated in the public rivers. The pond containing the old trout had been emptied, and most of the fish found to be males.

Mr Jameson, as treasurer, requested that he might have the monies of the society handed to him immediately after they were received. One cheque _ad been given to him which had been received in July, and handed to him in September, and tbe society might loose £5 or £6 by this transaction,

as payment of this cheque had been refused.

There had also been great dilatoriness shown in handing him the society's

accounts. It was resolved — " That in future, the curator hand over all monies to the treasurer received by him, at least one week.bef ore the monthly meeting."

• The chairman thought it would be as well to adopt, that portion of the curator's report recommending the construction of a cage to place a few of the salmon in.

Dr Campbell, from enquiries made by him.

did not think the construction of the cage would cost so much as estimated by the curator. He thought a cage might be made

for £10 which would answer the purpose. Sir Cracroft Wilson said that if they would sell the trout to reimburse the society, he

would vote for having two of the cages constructed. He would move—" That Dr

Campbell, in conjunction with the curator, be authorised to superintend the construction of two cages on a. plan to be approved by them, for the experiment of placing the salmon in the river and sea."

Mr Farr seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

It was resolved—" That a special meeting be called when the cages are ready for their inspection by the members of the Council, and also to receive suggestions as to where they should be placed, and the mode of transit."

Mr Jameson asked when the yomg trout would be ready for distribution.

Mr Farr replied in about a month.

Mr Jameson hioved—" That applications be received from residents in the province during the next month for the young trout, to be Bold at the rate of £5 per hundred, preference to be given according to priority of application."

Sir Cracroft Wilson seconded the resolu tion, which was agreed to.

Dr Campbell said he desired to refer to a letter which had appeared in the Lyttelton Tivus, signed "A Subscriber," and in which his name had been mentioned in a very disrespectful manner with reference to the action be bad taken at the last meeting of th,e Council on the subject of the introduction of leeches. He would have replied to the letter bad it not been an anonymous one, for he considered that a man who made such an attack, and who was afraid to put his name to it, was a coward. That writer stated that he (Dr Campbell) desired the importation of leeches from interested motives. He would read a copy of the letter he had written home, showing the action he had taken since tbe meeting. [Letter read in which Dr pampbeT instructs^bis constituents to make the necessary arrangements for securing and sale carrying of a number of. leechei, to

be handed over to tho charge of Mr Bills; and states his intention of defraying the whole expense himself.] It had been, and was still his belief that leeches would prova a source of revenue to the society, Dj Campbell then stated whom he believed to be the writer of the letter, and the motive that induced this person to write it, and | said that he knew every member of the the society would acquit him of any interested motive in the steps he had taken, but he only thought it due to himself as an officer of the society to make this statement, which would go forth to all their members, through the representatives of the press present.

A general opinion was expressed that the statement contained in the letter signed " A Subscriber," and which had appeared in the Lyttelton Times, was most untrue and un« warranted, and that expression was recorded in the minutes of the society. Dr Campbell reported that the rooks were building in the Riccarton bush. The estimated expenditure of the society for the mouth of October was reduced to JBU, after which the Council adjourned.