ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16213, 16 May 1918, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

W,. m 4 ect }P" of the Council of iio Canton • L , < ; ohn i? tl ¥ I ' lon Society was held last night, Dr. C. Morton Anderson presidinc over e good attendance. At the invitation, of the executive, Mr H. il ' attended, and gave an address on the preservation of native oirde. He said it was his desire to ,-proservo the birds of ftcw Zealand that hud actuated him in ins efforts to secure the reservation of native bush in different parts of the Dominion. As they, were aware, tb© native birds could not iivo unless there was native bush, and unless these areas wore reserved the native, bush on the mainland would become cxtinct like the liuia. He urged that the Society in conjunction with kindred societies, should ask the Government to take immediate measures to have placed on Kapiti Island every form of native bird life not at present on the island. A lagoon existed at the northern end of the island where water fowls could be preserved. There should be tracks made through -the bush on the island so that people could visit it and, under proper restrictions, see and admire the native bird 'rre? e nrged that other islands, notably D Urville, Resolution, and Stewart Islands, should be proclaimed bird eanctuariee. Replying tb questions, Mr Ell said' that it would be desirable for the Government to acquire the northern end of Kapiti in order to make the sanctuary more perfect. Mr E. F. Stead said that the more he | learned about tho native birds the more hopeless he became about them. As was well known., the .native birds succumbed to ■imported birds. He was of opinion that tho planting of more food trees for tho native birds would simply result in an increase of the number of imported birds. Fevers introduced by birds from outside, and tho thrueh and blapkbird were the worst enemies of the native birds. Ho thought that the marsh rail, the blue rail, and the petrol rail might bef protected and preserved on Kapiti. He expressed sympathy with Mr Ells suggestion regarding making Kapiti a real sanctuary.-

' It was decided, on the motion of Mr H. M. Cotton, seconded by P. J. Delacour, to take steps on the lines indicated by Mr Ell, and to communicate immediately with the Government on the subject, and also with tho other acclimatisation, societies, and ask them to assist in getting tho Government to take action. A vote of thanks waa accorded Mr Ell for his address.

The Ashburton Society wrote that it had forwarded proposed regulations, similar to sent by the Canterbury Society, respecting fishing off tho mouth of any salmon river.

Mr M. J. Gresson forwarded a legal opinion, in which he stated Qiat the regulations were not wi'do enough to permit" the lawful shooting of a wounded duck from, a boat.

Mr h. P. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, wrote that regulations regardingstroko hauling were being prepared, and copies would bo forwarded for the Society's coneiucration.

Officers for the year were elected as follows: President, Dr. C. Morton Anderson; vjee-preeidente, Messrs "W. H. Tisdall and M. H. Godby; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. V. Horvcy. The following 1 committees were set up:—Garden: Messrs L. A. Shand, P. J. Delacour, E. F. Stead, E. Hardcastic, C. J. Petersen, W. T. Billens, and Professor Blunt; Deer: Colonel the Hon. R. Heaton Khodee. M.P., Messrs K. Murchison, E. B. Rimington, E. Hardcastle, G. Gerard, J. Bond, and Dr. C. Morton Anderson; Soltvvn Committee: Messrs P. J. Delacour, A. Marsden, H. Anderson, E. j l . Norman, and C. J. Petersen; Executive: Dr. C.' Morton Anderson, Professor Blunt, Messrs W. H. Tisdall, C. K. Clark, E. F. Stead, M*. H. Godby, It. A. Shand, and the chairman of the Garden Committee.

The following supernumerary members of tho council were elected (two more are to fee elected later): Mess-re W. Scott (Southfcridge), W. Deans (Waddington), G. T Robertson (Courtenay), and D. Blake (Kaligiora).