ACCLIMATIS ATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11012, 9 July 1901, Page 3

ACCLIMATIS ATION SOCIETY.

The Council of the Acclimatisation Society met yesterday afternoon. Present— Messrs J. B. Fisher, Dr. Moorhouse, G. B. Ritchie, H. N. Nalder, and C. J. Sloman. ,

In reply to a question the secretary (Mr H. A. Bruce) stated there were three vacancies in the Council, and that Mr Burton, wiho would be aosent in England several -months, did not desire to be re-elected. On Dr. Moorhouse's motion Messrs AicHaiße, George Kirag, and Edgar Stead were elected members of the Society, and appointed to-the Council. Messrs Huydon and Mereditli-Kaye forwarded apologies for absence, \Vhicii were (received, and the former wrote recommending the importation of certain bkxfa, the proposal being left over to be dealt with at a fuller meeting. A letter was received from Mr L. F. Ayson, sta/ting tlmt the Government has under consideration the advisability vi importing game, animals, and birds, on a somewhat large scale, and would be glad of the advice, assistance, and co-operatiou of tilie Acclimatisation Societies tli-rough-out tJhe colony in this matter. The follow, in? animals had been recommended as

likely to prove of value to the colony: — From Africa.: Bush buck, suble antelope, elated/ koodoo. Cape buffalo, impala, steinook, reed buck, springbok, roan antelope, Grant's gazelle, and blue wildbeeste. From America: Moose, wapiti (elk), caribou, Virginia and male deer, prong horned antelope, and big horn. From. Europe and Asia: Chamois, moufiion, black: buck, ibex, and argali (oviw anuiion).

Mr Aysorfs letter further stated that as most of the above-named were either mountain or budi-feeding anhnals, they were unlikely to beoome a nuisance to settlers, arid it was requested that the Society state whether it was desired to co-operate with the Government in tlie importation, aid if so what Animals or birds the Canterbury Society, would recommend as likely to suit Canterbury, and what amount the Society was prepared. to contribute toward th< cost. v

In acknowledging -receipt' of . the letter the secretary ■wrote stating 'lie wae instructed to say that when the Society knows definitely what beasts the Government would import, and which are likedy to tome into Canterbury, and in -whutttumti&v, then till* Satiety would, in ail .probability, ;be <ab..e to give «, substantial *contri« bution from its own funds, and! also 8 liberal donation for the same purpose from lovers of sport in the district. .The Society was decidedly against the importation of any animals from South AMca oa account of rinderpest,, and as the majority of tine animals mentioned were not bush animals.

Taking the list in order, .the Society makes the following remarks:—Moose and wapiti, very desirable, bush-(haunting beasts that feed, on shrubs and trees. Caribou, moss-eating animal, living on plains and neitlhier country nor food for it in Canterbury. Virginia ar.d mule deer, not as good as red deer. Prong-horn antelope, lives on tlhe plains and eats grass, therefore not desirable. Big thorn, a most desirable beast, if it can ba obtained, snowline animal. Chamois, very desirable, but not such a fine trophy. Moufflon, desirable, and lives on the top of inouu.taine. Black buck, no good for same reason, as pronghorn antelope, and further is a tropical animal. Ibex, most desirable of all, lives on the snow-line, and eats principally shrubs. Ovia ammon, very desirable for same reason as ibsx. Thar, would strongly recommend importation ot this animal for same reason as ibex. Markhor, a most noble trophy, and an excellent animal if it can be obtained, lives in higih counstry, and feeds on bush shrubs.

With regard to birds the Society recommends the importation of the English Jap••wioig aa good Sport, and as it lives on grubs, and is the farmer's friend.'

It was remarked by members that practically Canterbury had only room for snowline animals of a desirable type. Dr. Moorhouss suggested granting £200 from the funds. He was certain also be could get £100 in private subscriptions in a week, Hβ woiiM give notice of motion that £200 be contributed from the Society's" iundet towards the Government proposal*, and that a special meeting be called to deal with the question.

It was decided to call a special meeting for Monday next., at 4 p.m., to dead with the question, , and the iiope was expressed that the aitendlance would:be large. a. suggestion from Daimevirke that the Society procure the English minnow and may-fly as food for trout in New Zealand streams .was not favourably entertained, it being pointed out thai wliiie the minnow is h-armless it would not pity the Society to expend money on its importation, but that the introduction of the fly might prove altogether undesirable. .......

Applications for trout ova yrkte received and dealt w&h. The Government acfcnowledjged receipt of the Society's baiaaoe aheet. Other matte-s. were dealt with, and the meeting itdjonrned till Monday next.