ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13376, 18 March 1909, Page 7

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The Council of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society met last evening. Present —Dr. Moorhouse (in the chair), Dr. Morton Anderson, and Messrs G. B. Ritchie, G. F. Whiteside, C. J. oloman, \V. Billens, A. L. Nicholl, W. J. Lavery, Jas. Sutherland, W. Price, 1\ J. de la Oour, L. A. tonand, W. H. Townend and E. J. Right-on (.secretary). 'lhe Secretary stated that the Avon liver from tne jj'endalton Uridge to Diilliiigwn tH-Kigc nad been ueelnreU a sanctuary. The Council were anxious to have tbe river from the i'endalton bridgo over the Wairarapa stream in-ciut-ed, and the secretary was instructed to communicate witu ti__e Uovernment and get the declaration amended accordingly. With regard to the sale of tuatara lizards, the Government informed tho Council that as the gentleman in tiio North Island who was selling tho lizards had tliem prior to the passing of the Act for tUicir protection, they could not interfere with him. Tho matter therefore dropped. ■Mr Ritchie read an anonymous letter received by him relative to tlie alleged ahooting of ducks ar.d enipe on the Ahuriri lagoon. A member of tho Council explained that he was out at the lagoon when the alleged shooting of ducks and enipo took place, lhe only birds shot wero tihe godwit, ar.d no ducks cr snipe were taken. The season for godwit was then open.

The Council decided to let tlie matter drop. Dr. iUoorhouso said that the committee who were appointed to go into the shooting regulations met the previous evening and decided that tho .season for tho (.hooting of Paradise ducks might be again opened. Thero were large numbers of thorn in tho gorges, a.nd he did not think there would be any chance of exterminating them. The committee also considered that the season for two migratory birds —tho knott and the eastern fjoldon plover—should bo the same as for the godwit—from February to April. It was resolved to adopt thc commit toe's recommendations. Dr. Moorhou.se said that t?ie committee were of opinion that cylinder shooting _hou!d be nllnved for another year. The cylinders would then be well worn and new cylinders required, so that it would not he inflicting any hardship on the sportsmen. It was agreed to adopt this suggestion.