AUCKLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3208, 28 October 1867, Page 3

AUCKLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

We understand that a letter has been received from Mr. W. K. Graham, one of the London Committee of this Society, by Mr. J. Burtt, Secretary, stating that by the • Water Nymph,' which left London on 21st August for Auckland, the following birds were shipped for the Society :—2OO: — 200 sparrows, 150 larks, 50 greenfinches, 200 starlings, and 15 partridges, underthe charge of the master of jthat vessel, Captain Babot, who is to receive a gratuity from the Society of a certain sum per head for those brought in safety to this port. Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., with great liberality, consented to carry the birds, and provisions for them, free of cost. The London Committee have decided to offer passengers for Auckland an inducement to bring out birds with them by the payment of a certain amount for every bird delivered to the Society. A notice to this effect will be posted at the offices of the various shipping agents. Several members of the London Committee have waited upon Mr. Bartlett, superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, who has afforded them many useful hints and promised every assistance. That gentleman has also offered the use of the aviaries in the gardens for preparing birds for shipment, so as to get them quiet and used to the cage. It is probable the the Society will receive some surplus stock from those gardens at a nominal price. The letter suggests that the Society should send home some New Zealand birds as a present to the Zoological Society. Mr. Bartlett considers the starling the best bird that could be imported for the Society, as it is a good-sized bird, lives entirely on insects, and will not eat grain. We have been informed by the Secretary that Captain Coope, who arrived by the ' Ida Ziegler,' has presented a pair of goldfinches to the Society, and has given some useful suggestions as to the more suitable birds to be imported from India. Captain Coope seems to be a gentleman of energy and ability, and we should be glad to welcome many more of his stamp in this province. He has purchased the farm belonging to Mr. Jackson, Papakura, and will, no doubt, make a useful settler in that improving district.