ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Issue XLI, 25 February 1885, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, postponed from January 29th, was held at Warner's Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 31. Tnere was a large attendance, and the Hon. J. T. Peacock, President, occupied the chair. The Chairman explained the necessity of holding the annual meeting in January had caused them to assemble that evening. He would call upon the Secretary to read , the annual report. The report and balance-sheet were read. The report stated that the Society had been in existence twenty-one yeara, during which time it had succeeded in introducing many species of animals, birds, and fishes. Itwaa to be regretted that the general public, and especially sportsmen who benefited so largely by its efforts, had not yet accorded it a large measure of support. The report proceeded to review the year's work of the Society. The balance-sheet showed an overdraft at the Bank of £244 18s sd. Of the receipts, the principal items were:—Fishing licenses, £149 2a; game licenses and fines, £292 5s 7d; and subscriptions, £43 7s. Of the expenditure :—Wages, £303 4s 7d; gamekeeper's i salary and expenses, £146 8s Id; and cxi penses at gardens, £198 5s 6d. The Ckaibkan said they would observe that the report was signed by the acting Secretary, following the course taken last year, but if they adopted the report it ; would become theirs, and everything would be in order. He was sorry to see that there was an overdraft of £244 18s sd— Borry, not so much for the fact as for the cause of it, the apathy of the general public with regard to the Society. Now ' the Society had done much good in TOst, and was likely to do more in the rfuture. £Hear, hear.]- Yet people were unwilling to: subscribe to it. And they had an excuse. It was stated on all sides that the Society had imported birds that destroyed grain. In fact, the importation . of sparrows was laid to their charge. He had been a member of the Society some twenty-five years, and was therefore qualified to speak on the subject-, and he wished to take that opportunity to deny that the Society had imported sparrows. Ha remembered how, years ago, they used to offer bonuses to the captains of vessels for the importation of live birds. One captain brought out some sparrows, and offered them to the Society, but they were rejected. Thereupon the captain, somewhat - annoyed, tossed the birds, which were five in number, into the air, and from those five birds came, he had no hesitation in saying, all the Bparrows now in the country. They would see that if the responsibility for introducing sparrows was to be laid on anybody's shoulders, they should not be the Society's. But even taking the contrary view, he contended that no blame could seriously be attributed to the Society. The Bparrows could only be said to have come among a number of other birds which had altogether been of immense service to the country. This would be more widely recognised before long. Only recently he had heard that at Tieeaton, where the heaviest raids had been made against the small birds, a field of barley had been destroyed by caterpillars. Betribution was falling upon the raiders. A good deal had been said against the (Society, but he contended that the small birds had been a safeguard against such losses as that. He had only now to refer to the Society's efforts for the introduction of salmon, whioh, he ventured to say, was a matter ef the utmost importance, seeing that it might become a source of untold wealth to the country. He would move the adoption of the report and balance sheet. Mr Cooxa seconded the motion. Dr. F&ankish hoped the incoming Council would apply to the Government for an Order-in-Council prohibiting the sale of flounders under a certain size. As things were going at present, Lake Ellesmere would soon contain no fish at aIL The salesmen were as thoroughly convinced as the Society itself that protection was required, v Mr H. B. Wxbb thought the finances of the Society required some particular attention. If the Society's grounds were made more attractive, some revenue might be drawn from a charge for admission to them. Now that the Governor was in their midst it might be possible to send a deputation to His Excellency, and by his influence do something to revive the public interest in the Society. Mr Howland thought something could be done by members exerting themselves to gain new subscribers. (Hear, hear.) The Chaibxak agreed with the last speaker, and might say that he had himself gained twelve new members that day, and some donations. {[Applause.} He would now put the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. The new Council was elected as follows?— Messrs Boys, Cooke, Carrick, Farr, Kimbell, Peacock, Spackman, Webb, Williams, Westenra, Dr. Brittin, and Dr. Fran Irish. The Chaibican said the business of the meeting was now over. He thought the Society had received a new impetus that day, and it was a good augury to see so large a number present. The Society had that day attained its majority, and he hoped it would now go on to a prosperous old age. Dr. Fbanxish moved a vote of thanks to the President for his services during the year, especially those rendered to the Society in connection with the Fisheries BHL Mr Bore seconded the motion, and it was carried by acclamation. The Chaibjian would only say that, whatever he had done had been a labor of love, and he hoped he might live to do as much again. Totes of thanks were also passed to Mr F. Back and the Christchurch Station

Master and employes, for services rendered ] to the Society; to the Secretary and As- < sistant Secretary; to Mr Nottage for his i efforts towards the acclimatisation of j humble bees; to Mr Warner for his hospi- < tality to the Society, and to the Press. ] At a Council meeting held immediately afterwards, officers were elected as follows— : President, the Hon. J. T. Peacock; Tice- i Chairmen, Messrs Kimbell and Webb; J Mr Farr; Garden Committee, Messrs* Cook and Boys, Drs. Brittin and < Frankish; supernumerary members, Messrs 1 P. Cunningham and T. Acland. < - i