THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1903.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10520, 29 January 1903, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1903.

Acclimatisation is not an absorbing question or one of vit-.l iuteiest, but at the same time, for sentimental and sounder reasons, it possesses a deep interest for every member of the lace who would like to see the country he has made a home in for him>elf aud his children as much like the land he came from as may be compatible with j surrounding circumstances. Hence the laudable desire to see the flora aud I fauna of Europe and America acclimat:sed in the Australasian colonies, as no doubt will be largely the case in the course of time. It is gratifying to this feeling to tee that the frieHds and cithnsiasts in acclimat^ation matters keep steadily pegging away to make their home in this far-away land as attractive as .the old home by peop ing the fields, the forests, and the rivers, and the oceans with the respective denizens that helped to beautify and lend charm and interest to the various lands from which the people of this colony have come. Hence the readiness with which colonists lend their assistance to gratify thft feeling that underlies all our efforts in the fascinating object of acclimatisation in all its various branches. Let us hope that the feeiiug may continue as long as it is worthy of eiicoura^ement, so that the environments of this fair and favored land of tempe: ate clime may possess more or less of nature's ornaments to remind us of the different lands whence this mixed community has sprung. For the last few days our telegrams have apprised us of the doings of the Acclimatisation Conference, at which delegates from all the New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies are in attendance. The Conference is the outcome of a resolution passed at a preliminary meeting of delegates held in Christchurch in November last, when it was decided to call a conference for 23rd January for the purpose of forming an Acclimatisation Association for New Zealaud. As the Hon J D Orm >nd observed, in moving the resolution, the establishment of such a body would be of the greatest service to the whole colony, and would not in the least interfere with the actions and functions of the individual societies. The tendency of the times — and it is seen in all the various branches of human activity — is to co-operate or consolidate according as the special interests concerned lend ihemselves to the one class or the other. The acclimatisation societies scattered about the colony have shown abundantly that they serve a useful purpose. If they did not do so they would not hnve thriven and multiplied as they have done in all the principal centres. For a young country like New Zealand the successful establishment of such societies and their useful and vigorous administration is the best possible testimony — if any were needed — as to the vitality and general prosperity^ of the colony. People are not able to take up hobbies or tasteful recreations where the struggle for existence is very keen. We only seek relaxation and enjoyment when we f^el that there is no danger of an empty cupboard. If the Australasian colonies did not so abound in the elements of prosperity the people would not be so devoted to sports and amusements of all kinds, whicb w© are noted for. As these conditions obtain it will serve as an assurance that life is at least tolerable to the pooresb amongst us. May it long remain so. The colony is deeply indebted to a few enthusiasts here and there who have simply followed tl.eir bent and never spared themselves in furthering the interests of acclimatisation ; and we may say this that without such men it would have been »n impossibility to achieve the triumphs that we are able to record. Greymouth has been speciallyfortunateinpossessingamongst her citizens a serious-minded few who looked on the work (hey took up as a sacred duty, and never spired themselves in furthering the good object. We call it "good" — we might 'use a more glowing adjective — because wo confess to a remarkably strong syms pathy with all who distinguish themselves as devoted to tho work of acclimatisation. Amongst those who deserve to be honorably mentioned in this connection, and who themselves have been most conspicuous in the ranks of acclimn timers are — and we know that they would net willingly have their names mentioned — Mr Thos Wilson and Mr G S Smith, both of whom have never spared themselves or their pocket in promoting the success of their patriotic hobby. Nothing would please us better than to see, as the practical outcome of the Acclimatisation Conference, the formation of a central body that would be able to exercise supervision over all the affiliated societies scattered throughout the colony. It is desirable that there should exist a uniformity of control in directing the energies of the widely scattered associations to the best advautage, and it is not easy to see how this could be satisfactorily accomplished without the establishment of a society for the whole colony to exercise a guiding influence over the general policy of all

the others. A comprehensive scheme is wanted at this juncture, and that is why we welcome tbo effort now being made at We lington in the interests of colonial acclimatisation. A contemporary, in discussing the mutter, very pertinently observes : — "We believe that, chiefly through the Tourist and Marine Departments, the societies obtain much useful information from the Government Inspector of Fisheries, but under existing conditions he c«n hardly be expected to devote the time necessary to instruct and advise the different bodies. A suggested solution of the trouble is that all the New Zealand Societies should combine to engage a really capable expert far the whole colony, whose sole duty it would be to advise and instruct. The work such an ©Hiaer should accomplish — the improved methods leading to improved results — should more than compensate the societies for the outlay, which, after all, would not be a heavy burden, as it would be spread over a number of contributors."