ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10450, 14 September 1899, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon. Present— Messrs A. Soott (chairman), J. B. Flesher, J"H Stringer, H. C. Satchel], A. Carrick, H. D. Harman, G. B. Ritclue, and Meredith Kaye. An apology waa reoedved for the absence of Mr F. W. Thompson. [Respecting the protection of seagulls, the Secretary reported having forwarded the minute of the Council to the Government, but had received no reply. He, however, noticed by the papers that seagulls were protected throughout New Zealand. ,__ Concernmg the protection of white swans, st-was suggested that if those of the City Council were presented to the Society, and then liberated by the Society they would "* be protected. On the recommendation of the Garden Committee, Mr 0. Archer was appointed lion, surveyor. JVir Meredith Kaye was elected to a vacancy on the Council.' The Blenheim Society wrote, asking if the Society would support on amendment of the' Act, declaring all native game, game and protected, and no birds either' native or imported to be shot without a license. It was decided to reply that it would be better hot, to endanger the Bill now in hand by such amendments in the meantime, but that the Council expressed sympathy with the object. A letter was read from Wellington," that it was proposed to fix April '30th ac 'the date of the termination of the fishing season. The Council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society stated that an order was being sent for a consignment of American game „ birds, and asking if the Canterbury Society wished to co-operate. The Garden Com--mittee reported' that it ihad authorised the expenditure up to £30 for Virginian'quail; that the Government be asked to protect the river Ashley for half a mile m> stream from high-water mark; that Mr Pilling was recommended'for-appointment as honorary ranger; and decided that a new face oe made on the Riccarton road'frontage, and to distribute what fish were ready. The report was approved. :,. Anglers in the northern district a?ked that shakes should , Tte placed'in the Ashley - to prevent the' dragging of %> river by " fishermen. The Colonial Secretary, in reply to the Council, had drawn". attention to regulation No. 13, which the Secretary ex-* plained practically meant that thfc river , was protected against netting. On the tion of the Chairman it was decided 'to advertise and post notices to the effect. It was decided to ask tha Colonial Secretary to supply the Society with a copy..of statutes and proclamations relatini? to acclimatisation, the application itp be deferred until the consolidating Act was passed. . The meeting then closed.