AUCKLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3038, 22 April 1867, Page 4

AUCKLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The committee of this society held their weekly meeting at their office, Canada Buildings, on Saturday afternoon. Present — Messrs. A. Martin (Chairman), E. Maclean, R. Robertson, Murdoch, Mackelvie, Jones, R. Riding 3 (Treasurer), J. Burtt (Secretary), and Colonel De Quincey. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. J. Webster, Hokiaoga, paid a donation of £5 and one guinea subscription. He has offered to supply, if required, some Californi&n quail from Hokianga, where they have become quite abundant. The Treasurer stated that the amount of funds on hand was £338. On the motion of Mr. Mackelvie, seconded by Mr. Murdoch, Captain P. W. Hutton was admitted a member of committee. Mr. Burtt proposed the following resolution to be forwarded to his Honor the Superintendent : — "That with the view of securing the effectual operation of the Protection of Certain Animals Act, it is suggested that all police and rural constables be appointed rangers, and that the appointment be conferred on any country settlers who may be approved of by his Honor the Superintendent ; that a list of all persons so appointed be published from time to time in the Provincial Government Gazette, together with a list of all holders of licenses, either to shoot or sell game." Mr. Jones seconded the resolution, which was unanimously adopted: It was agreed that, in consequence of certain uuj rincipled persons having been guilty of shooting pheasants contrary to law, the sum £5 should be paid by the Society to any person giving such information as may lead to the conviction of any such offender prior to Ist of May next. On the motion of Mr. Maclean, seconded by Mr. Mackelvie, it was agreed that after the Ist May a gratuity of £3 should be paid to any one giving such information as would lead to the conviction of any person committing a breach of the Protection of Certain Animals Act. On the motion of Mr. Mackelvie, seconded by Mr. Murdoch, Messrs. T. Crummer and J. Webster were admitted members of the committee. The secretary read the following letter from Captain Hutton : —

" Epsom, April 12, 1867. " Sir,—- Having had considerable experience in rearing and keeping most of the common species of British birds, I venture to send to you a few hints m to feeding them on board ship, in the hope that it may be of some use to the Society. " I would suggest that a list of prices that the Society is prepared to give for birds landed in Auckland, together with instructions for taking care of them on board ship, be printed in England, and that the agent for the province be requested to distribute them to all intending emigrants ; also, that copies be sent to Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., and to Houlder Brotheri, with the request that they would distribute them to the officers, stewards, butchers, and men of their ships sailing for Auckland. In this way, I think, the Society might acquire a good many birds without risking any money. " I also enclose some remarks on those birds of Australia and Tasmania that I consider desirable to introduce into this province. I do this, however, with much diffidence, as, not having myself been to Australia, my knowledge of its birds is derived from books only. " I have no doubt but that some of the bats of Australia would be exceedingly valuable, by destroying numbers of the night-flying moths, one of which, viz,. Noctua Ewingii, I believe to be the imago of the caterpillar which has been so destructive to the crops this year, — I have, &c, " F. W. Hutton, "Captain. " The Secretary Acclimatisation Society, " Auckland."