ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 12652, 4 November 1905, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY

The regular meeting of the Council of the Society was held yesterday ; present—Mr T. Brown (in the chair), Mr G. M. Marshall, Mr S. M'Donald, Mr R. Forrest, Mr J. Edgar, Mr R. Chisholm, and Mr D. Rutsell (secretary), and Mr F. Deans (manager). Dr Fulton, Mr Farquhar, the Hon. T. Fergus, and Mr Sinclair Thomson sent apologies. The Chairman welcomed Mr Chisholm after his trip round the world. Mr Chisholm acknowledged the compliment, and took the opportunity of stating his opinion that ail possible t.teps should be taken to preserve our native game. It was one of the points against Canada that the native game had been quite destroyed. The Chairman made an explanation as to something he said at the previous* meeting. What be really said on that occasion was that whilst Mr Chisholm was mayor of the City that gentleman, in the interests of the Corporation, induced tho society to help 1o improve the Gardens, and Be (Mr Brown) thought the society had done quite enough in that direction. He re-stated his remark in order to correct a wrong impression. The manager reported that the hatch this year had again been very successful, and the fry were looking strong and healthy. A considerable number were now ready for distribution. The total number of fry at both hatcheries was about 1,130,000. The most of tha eel-pots had been allotted to the various rivers on which it was decided to operate. Ranger M'Lay was leaking the shags scarce on tho Shag and Waikouaiti Rivera, and tho society would be glad to hear from any of the public who observe shaggeries on any secluded parts of the river. An exchange of yearling tiout was made with ttte Canterbury Society. A number died in transit both ways, and the Canterbury Society practically lost theirs after being placed in the artesian water. Tho writer recommended that a few more yearlings be sent, cr, what would be better, that somo fry be sent. Mr Jas. Steven reported a« to the Clinton hatchery that with tho exception of a few thousand rainbow ova the hatching was completed for the season. A fairly satisfactory percentage had been procured from the different varieties, and about fry would bo available for distribution. Ho snegestod that a start bo made with distributing as soon as possible. It was resolved to offer tlie Canterbury society 300 veorlmgs to replace those lost ; or, if T>referred. to reyl 2,000 fry and 100 yearlings. It wns shiwn by the facts that the loss was not the fault of anyone concerned with the Ota«o Society. Mr Edgar said he bad recently vedtert the hatcheries at Opoho in company with some lads, who were very much interested in what thev saw, and he thought it would be very instructive if lads old enough to appreciate the visit were invited to see tlie hak-beric-s. —Tt was resolved that the secretary of the Education Board be written to inviting visits from tho older boys attend;n<r the public schools, if accompanied hy their teachers; Mr Deans to "be notified before visits were made.

Mr E. A. Jolty wrote on behalf of the Cromwell Sportingi Club asking the society to erect two huts and furnish, some eel-pots in the Cromwell district. The suggested localities for tlie huts were—one on, the Limdio River and one art the Ctatha River, about ten or twelve miles from Cromwell. —lt wup nwrved to supply three eel-pots and to hokl over for future consideration the question of the huts. The Nelson Society wrote asking if tho experiment in importing and acclimatising red-legged partridge had been successful.— ■Resolved to reply thai the society had not imported the red-legged partridge, but that other birds were being destroyed by irtoats afld weasels. Mr Chisholm. said that it was no use trying to preserve native birds and game if the present restrictive law for the protection of stoats and weasels was allowed to remain in force; and it was resolved, as the outcome of a discussion —" That in view of the depredations caused by stoats and weasel*-, and the desire of tho society to protect our native bads, a strong recommendation bo made to the Government to remove tho restrictions against killing these verrrdn."

Mr E. A. Mac Gibbon, of Gore, who has recently returned from a visit to New South Wales and Queensland, suggested that the society thould import a number of Australian native bears for distribution in the west coast of the isiomd. —It was resolved to thank Mr Mac Gibbon for his letter, and to inform him that the society conJd not comply with his suggestion. HIGHLY BENEFICIAL. Chamberlain'* Stomach and Liver Tablets prove highly beneficial in all h'ver troubles, entirely removing biliousness, and in so doing will clear away all skin eruptions, such as boils, pimples, and eczema.—lAdvt-1