ACCLIMATISATION

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20956, 9 September 1933, Page 22

ACCLIMATISATION

OTB NORTH CANTERBURY v SOCIETY !& HISTORY OF PROGRESS tfesJScrvairT ttbittbs roa thb pbkss.) JBy JOHN STANLEY.] (I.) This is the first of a series of articles dealing with the introduction, acclimatisation, and conservation of game in New Zealand, and more especially in Canterbury. The facts are taken from old records of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society (dating back to 1864), and they deal with some of the most outstanding efforts of ether societies also. Many species of animals have been introduced into New Zealand: some of (them have flourished, some of them have died out, and some of them have become pests. The romance of the introduction of -the salmon (chiefly quinnat, Atlantic, and sockeye), and various varietles of irnut is most interesting, for tnere were manT failures, and hundreds of pound™ were expended before they were successfully acclimatised. Many shipments of small birds and leathered game were brought out to New Zealand—some of these have flourished, while others have died out In these old records one finds the reasons why several insect pests were introduced, or how they managed to get into the country- .Some were brought out to destroy blights, birds were later imported to destroy them; hedgehogs, for which the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society is now Bavins 6d each, were brought out to destroy snails and slugs. Hares were at one time sold to run-holders for as much as £3 a pair. At one time kangaroos and wallaties were housed in Hagley Park, and in October, 1872, a bear which was presented to the society by a Mr Bray was also established in the park. In the 'seventies the society's portion of the gardens was alive witn birds—robins. jackdaws, skylarks, golden plover, starlings, thrushes, and many others. The English nightingales' songs brought back to our pioneers memories of Home. Early Activities. "Late last year the work of making trout pools in the gardens was commenced, and they have now been completed." Thus was the laying of the foundation-sjipne of a great work reported in 1866. At first, owing to a lack of funds, the society's grounds were far from perfect. There was an insufficient supply of water, and on several occasions when a nor-wester blew for two or three days, many young trout died because the water in the ponds became warm. The pools themselves were unsheltered-just holes in the ground, and ringed by banks of barren earth; the surroundings bleak . . . new. Private letters of Mr S. C. Farr, written in 1890, describe the changes that took t>lace up till that time. The following extracts iron them reveal the immense progress made by the society, but the few remaining specimens of several fish and birds speak eloquently of failures. "Near the hospital, over the river Avon, which may be crossed by several picturesque bridges, are the Acclimatisation Society's grounds, set deep in the shade of a forest of English ash and sycamores. . . . Artesian wells pour sparkling streams into clear ponds, where hundreds of fish disport themselves; in their native element, certainly, but not natives to the element, for there are trout from Scotland's lochs, charr from America's brooks, perch from English streams, and carp from English ponds. In one pond are three or four dozen sparkling salmon trout—deep, shapely fish running up to four pounds and more, and strong enough to try the newest of casts and all the angler's skill. In another pond are the better-known brown trout. . . . There is one dark monster sailing about like a hungry pike, an old jack, and evidently the hero of many an aqueous combat, for his thick skin is scarred in a dozen places and his lips curl like those of a fighter. A gloomy-minded fish this, one that would sulk in the most weedy part of the pool if hooked, and twist the line around the strongest snag. . . . Here are several fine American charr, but the stateliest and best of them, the majestic ones which were once the pride of the pool, are lately dead, victims to overfeeding by generous but indiscriminating visitors. In the shady waters perch, goldfish, and carp float lazily. . . . The Birds. "Cheeky, yet homely sparrows, outlawed though they are, come chirping through the trees in search of food. , Linnets, chaffinches, redpoles, yellowhammers, twites, goldfinches, and a dozen other kinds of birds tilt boldly on twigs and return the scrutiny of visitors. Grey ducks, mallards, paradise ducks, and plump little Japanese teal swim placidly on the pools. ■ . . [With flashing wings a pair of golden pheasants streak through a shaft of sunlight. ... A grey, speckled song thrush sneaks through the undergrowth and stands staring furtively. From high above, in the cloudless sky, comes the trilling of the English skylark. A pair of pigeons flirt on the top of a tall tree. Quail, with flaunting crests, strut through the grasses. . . ■ "Two tameless hawks are caged here; their gaze is sullen. A pair of partridges and several game and silver pheasants remain, relics of a great purpose, whicn was to stock the plains with these noblest of winged game. Nearby is another skeleton—a deep pool in which are two tench, remnants of several hundred which might have populated the rivers. ... "Magpies make short, clumsy flights, blackbirds fly shrilly from cover to cover in search of grubs, and flights of shining starlings plane down into the trees. With the gloaming come the cooing doves —the incomparable song of the nightingale brings memories of Home. . . ." Extension of the Work. By 1930 the society's work had grown too large for the gardens, and in 1931 it moved to Greenpark, where a new fish hatchery, the largest in Australia and New Zealand, has been built. Here about 2,500,000 ova may be accommodated at one time, and the possible annual output is about 5,000,000 ova. The spacious, wellordered grounds cover 10 acres, and there are a number of pens in which various species of birds may be kept in captivity for breeding purposes. Many times during its existence has the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society been hard pressed for funds with which to carry out its work, especially in the early days when most of the revenue was derived by canvassing for subscriptions. For several years during the 'eighties it had a debit balance, and it was only the enthusiasm of the members of the council that weathered that storm. Some of its importations have ended in failure; some of the animals and birds that it has imported have become pests, but on the whole, the acclimatisation of fish, game, and gamebirds has been thoroughly and most successfully carried out in Canterbury, and the story is not yet finished, for to-day the society is carrying on with sust as much vigour and enthusiasm the work which was started by our pioneer sportsmen on January 26, 1864.