ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3222, 29 December 1875, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held yesterday at the grounds. Present —Sir J. C. Wilson, Dr Campbell, Hon J. T. Peacock, Messrs Bird, Wallace, Wood, J. Marshman, and Farr. Tbe Hon J. T. Peacock occupied the chair.

The secretary reported that the receipts for the month had been £25 3s, and the expenditure £1 03 9d. Several accounts were passed for payment. The following correspondence was read—

From the South Canterbury Bociety, stating that they would take 1300 trout. Granted by the Council. From Messrs Miles, Hassal, and Co, on behalf of proprietors in the Ashburton district, asking for 500 trout. Tbe secretary stated that the trout had gone, and had arrived at tbe Hinds without losing one. From Captain Clogtoun, asking to be allowed to leave the trout purchased by him in the gardens, which the secretary stated had been complied witb. Mr W. C. Walker, Mount Possession, wrote asking for some trout to turn out in the lakes and streams in bis neighbourhood. It was agreed to comply with Mr Walker's request.

A letter was read from Mr T. W. Ladbrooke asking for a leash of hares, to turn loose in the Cust district. The secretary reported that he had replied that this was the wrong time to take the hares. Also, from Mr Bridge, of Southbridge, asking for 100 trout, and forwarding money for same. The secretary reported that the trout had been delivered. From Messrs D. and D. Cameron, asking for 100 trout. The secretary reported that the trout had been delivered, out of which seventeen had died on the road owing to an accident.

Dr Campbell said he had recommended Messrs Cameron and others in that neighborhood to club together, and get a quantity of trout up there into the river for the use of the public.

A letter was read from Sir Thomas Tancred reporting the success of his trout, and also the small birds. From Mr Tripp, asking for a consignment of sparrows and other small birds, and also hares. The secretary was instructed to reply that the society could not get hares at this season of the year. A report on the trout turned out at High Peaks was read.fgiving a description of the progress of the trout placed in the streams there, whicb were doing excellently. A letter from the Provincial Secretary was read asking upon what terms the Acclimatisation Society occupied the ground near the hospital, as the Government wished to lay out the grounds for the convalescent patients, having a bridge over the creek, and also to remove the trees which impeded the circulation of air around the hospital. The chairman said he thought it would be far better for the Government to take the terrace fronting the Riccarton road, which would be far more useful for the purpose of recreation than the lower portion near the river which they now required. It was resolved that Dr Campbell, Mr Bird, and Mr Farr be appointed as a deputation to wait on the Government with regard to this matter.

The following gentlemen, recommended as rangers by Chief Ranger Colonel Packe, were appointed, viz:—Messrs Peregrine Robert Dearden, Rakaia; Thomas Burgess, Eyreton ; Horatio James Wood, Kaiapoi ; Robert Hopkins, Ohoka; George Bailey, Eyreton ; Michael Lynskey, Eyreton; John Strachan, Eyreton.

A letter from Mr G. L. Mellish was read, representing that it was necessary to open the river below Stanmore bridge to boys under eighteen years of age, if fishing with a hook not larger than No 10, except to those who held a river license.

The matter was relegated to the new council to decide.

Mr Wood resigned his position as treasurer to the society, owing to his approaching visit to England.

It was resolved that Mr Farr be appointed as treasurer pro tern, until the annual meeting.

The rough draft of the annual report to be presented to the annual general meeting was read and adopted.

The council then adjourned.