A TASMANIAN VISITOR.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7777, 3 February 1891, Page 6

A TASMANIAN VISITOR.

ACCLIMATISATION AND MUSEUMS* experiences in new guinea. ; [By oub Special Repobthr.] Mr A. Morton, F.L.S., Curator of the Museum, Hobart, who, with Mr C. EL Grant, a member of the Council of the Royal Society of Tasmania, represented Tasmania at the recent meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, was recently interviewed by oar special reporter. Mr Morton was asked some questions about acclimatisation in Tasmania. In reply, he said that although there was no properly organised Acclimatisation Society in Tasmania, various kinds of birds and fish had been introduced into the country. Like ourselves, the Tasmanians hao introduced thesparrow,and it had thriven almost as well there as here. They had also introduced the starling, which had thriven nearly as well as the sparrow ; to fact both starlings and sparrows had become pests, the former attacking the cherry trees in summer, and the latter attacking the farmers' wheat so vigorously that in revenge they had started a Society for their extermination which offered something like Is per dozen for the heads of these birds. The rabbit, too, had grown into a plague, but the settlers had curtailed its advances by means of wire net fences, which they had proved to be one of the best, if not the best, means of checking the spread of this irrepressible rodent. Pheasants had not done so well, the native cats and the snakes had shown such a partiality for this fine game bird that it had almost become absorbed by them. The Californian quail, which would seem a more likely victim to snakes or cats than the pheasant, had, on the contrary, increased in numbers amazingly, and offered very good sport. With regard to fish, Mr Morton said that the trout had been successfully introduced into Tasmanian streams and lakes. A great quanticy of ova had been procured from Europe; two Kinds, Salmo fontinalis and the Loch Leven trout, had been obtained from New Zealand, and the results obtained had been very good. Tasmania's largest lake, known as the Great Lake, literally swarmed with trout, averaging from 21b in weight to 201b and 301b. Anglers could take trout in the Tasmanian lakes either with live bait, artificial bait, or the fly; they were frequently angled for from the shore and in shallow water. The Governor of Tasmania, Sir Robert Hamilton, had landed one of the biggest fish caught by angling. It weighed 2t>|lbs and was taken from -the Huon river, which is one of the best trout streams in the country. It now graces the Hobart Museum —a trophy of Sir Robert's skill as an angler and a tribute from Tasmanian waters.

Mr A. Morton has recently visited all the principal museums in New Zealand with the exception of the Auckland Museum, bis purpose being to encourage a spirit of friendly exchange between these public insticutions. Mr Morton believes strongly in the educational influence of museums, and considers that their contents should be described in simple and concise language on tickets or cases. His museum at Hobart carries out thisidea. Geological specimens, mineralogicaland metallurgical specimens, specimens of birds, fishes, mammals, reptiles, plants, timbers, fossils, and everything that a museum generally contains, are clearly described, with their peculiar attractions or their economic value attached. This system carried on in Hobart has met with the strongest approval from Professor Flower, the Director of the British Museum, who, when elected President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science fn 1889, opened his address by advocating a similar improvement in English Museums. Mr A. Morton is an American by birth, and though he has been in these colonies several years, has only recently become naturalised a British subject. Like many of his countrymen, he possesses a strong love for travelling, <iud has explored a great many obscure corners of the South Pacific. In 1877 he visited New Guinea as representative of the Sydney Museum, and with his party was one of those who pushed further inland than any other white man had been up to that: time. He speaks in high terms of the work done by the missionaries, the Revs. Liwes and Chalmers. He said that on one occasion his party met a tribe of New Guinea Natives who had never before seen Europeans. After a little intercourse, the natives asked It they knew Mr Lawes, the Missionary, and on the explorers saying "yes," they were treated with every mart of friendship. The natives had never seen Mr Lawes, yet they' had been so much imEressed in his favor through hearing of is work through some of their countrymen that they were ready to extend the hand of friendship to anyone who was acquainted with him. Mr Morton said that their work in New Guinea was more facilitated by the influence of the Missionaries than by Government power, and he bears testimony to the great improvements effected by missionaries among the inhabitants of New Guinea. Mr Morton thinks that if the name' of our town were to be changed Willow City would be a good substitute. He says that in no other town has he seen willows growing in such profusion. He also says that in no other country has he met such a large proportion of people interested in scientific pursuits, and believes that New Zealanders sure likely to take a foremost place amongst the intellectual peoples of the world. Mr Morton has visited our Acclimatisation grounds, and was surprised at their extent and beauty. He think* that no town in the colonies has such a splendid nucleus for Acclimatisation and Zoological purposes. He points out that from che Museum where many varieties of stuffed animals are to be seen, it is only a short walk through the gardens to the Acclimatisation grounds, where living specimens of all sorts could be kept-, and he thinks that there would be no difficulty in obtaining rare and interesting creatures at a very little cost. New Zealand birds, Australian birds, and animals such as we do not possess now could be obtained almost for the trouble of writing for them. Mr Morton thinks that the clear water, cool shade, the interest of a nice zoological collection, the fish ponds; and the general beauty of the Acclimatisation Grounds should make them one of the most attractive places in the country, and he suggests that if the zoological collection was obtained there might be days set apart when music might be provided, a tea kiosk set up, and a charge levied for admission, the proceeds goin& to the Society. Mr Morton said that he was returning to Tasmania, on Tuesday, and that he should carry back with him very kindly remembrances of Chxistchurch, and. he believed that every Australian member of tire Association owed Prof. Hutton sincere thanks for hie thoughtful attentions to them, Iα conclusion Mr Morton expressed a wish that many New Zealanders would attend the meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, which is to be held in Hobart next year. He states that Tasmanians are going to emulate New Zealanders and do everything in their power to make the meeting a success. Their Governor, Sir Robert Hamilton, is to succeed Sir James Hector as President of the Association, and though not a scientist, he is one who takes the deepest interest in the advancement of science, and will work hard to make the meeting a success.