ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8480, 11 May 1893, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The special general meeting of tho members of tho Acclimatisation Society whj held at 4.30 p.m. yesterday. Present— Hon. J. T. Peacock (President), Messrs R. T. Suarell, A. Scott, A. Ctirriek, A. M. Ollivier, Maine, Alpc, Humpluas, Wigrain, Hameruntl C. K. Dlakiston.

The Skokktaky (Mi , 11. 1 , . Kirch) road the draft, report. Tlio receipts frmn fishing Hocuses were stated to havo amounted to £276 13s, which was an iuoreuse on the receipts of last year. Tlio Council called fUtontiou to the*fact that tlie various oounties hud bceu incorporated iuto ono district, culled the Southern Acclimatisation District, ami tho regulations as to fishing issued hud been now made uniform, ins-tenl of as before exceedingly diverse. So veil convictions Dud boon obtained by the Society for breaches of tho lishing regulations. Black swans had been included in native qume, and a netting of Lake Pearson showed that there was a laryo quantity of tiout therein. Tho fact that a druiu existed at Belfast which was iuimical to tho tish was referred to, and it wua btuted that the Society intended to apply for extended power* in this direction. During tho your 137,750 trout had been distributed from the gardens. In addition 15,000 iruut ova had also been sold «md 226 perch. About 2000 a took fish remained in the gurdeus, mid twentytwo English pheasants were for Mile. Tin report concluded by expressing regret that the Society had notinet with more substantial support from tho public. They believed, however, that public attention had only to be called to the wide and useful sphere oi the operations of tho Society to emiuo a large increase for the current your. Tae balance sheet showed tlio receipts for the year to have been £513 15s 6d, and the expenditure £421 lid. The Puksidknt, in moving the adoption of the report uud balance sheet/, said that it had been suggested that the appointment oi some Departmental Committees might, popularise the Socioty. Ho (Mr Peacock) thought that the Socioty ought to think out some method by which the public could get a little Hah or game if they wanted to do so. This, he felt aiiro, would make the Society far more popular than it was now. Ho folt, too, that tlte Society should recugnien, by « larger honorarium, tho very able service) tendered by tho Secretary. Mr Ham Bit seconded the motion. Ho said that ho had been travelling up and down the colony, and whilst ho agreed with Mr Peacock as to the necessity oi popularising tho Society, the difficulty wua that they might encourage poaching. If they could do what Mr Peacock suggestod, and at the same time protect tho gamo and tish, it would be very desirable. Whilst they could do what they likpd in their own district, he thought they should consult tho other districts before throwing-open thoir streams.

The Chairman said ho only snoko in a general way. It seemed to him that it was a pity that only a fow fishermen or sportamun got all the benefits from tho Sooioty, They paid for the privilege it was true, but he should like to see tome scheme by. which the public could participate. Then they would interest the people in the Society and would also tend to prevent poaching. Hβ would not advocate any. hasty action, out ho thought the new Council aiiould take the matter up. Tho motion was then put and agreed' to.

The following gentlemen were then declared as the new Council:—Sir John Hall, Dr. Moorhouse, Hon. J. T. Peacock, Professor Huelam. Messrs Mciroiol, Raino, A. M. Ollivier, A. Carrick, Meddiugtt, Humphries, A. Heott, Izard, dp&cktnan, a, T. Searell and W. F. Wigram. > Mr Cakbiuk moved—"That a hearty vote of thanks bo recorded to Mr H. P. Birch, the Secretary of the Society," and paid a high compliment tc the zeal aud ability of Mr Birch. -

Mr C. R. BfiAKiSTOX socondod the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Hamm<. called attention to the discovery of tne martins at New Brighton, and suggested t hut eomo action should be taken by tne iSociety to protect these birds. The Chaiumas said it would bo be well if Mr H imer would move a resolution getting the so birds included by Order-Ui-Uounctl amongst tho ptotccted birds. Mr Hamkk moved—"That the Socretary bo requcuttd to interview Mr Murphy reference to information Hβ to what the birds are that have been eeen in. New Brighton, aud whether thoy are of the imuiin iribj; if found to be ho, that tho Secretary be requested to tulegruph lo the Government to ask them to pruuet the birds at oiice."

Mr A. M. Ollivikr seconded Ihe moH©, which was carried.

The meeting Mien adjourned.