ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1431, 14 July 1865, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A special meeting of this society was held on Friday afternoon, July 7, at their rooms, in the Mechanics' Institute. The following members of the committee were present :— Mr. Wilkin (Chairman), the lion. J. Hall. Messrs. Hill, Macfarlane. Stevens and Hislop. The yearly statement of accounts wai handed in by Mr. Johnston, in the absence of Mr. Gould :— Receipts. £ s. d. To Subscriptions ••• ° 5 ' 2 3 ° From Government towards feneing wire 100 00 £002 3 0 Expenditure. By purchase of birds 17 1° ..sundries }~ , "labour ... J*" J „ Mr. Johnson s 9alary ■*< " „ cost of house 1-j „ Mr. Miles' account , « „ balance in hand 26"t> 4, 3 £1552 3 0 Accounts amounting to £200 17s 3d were passed and ordered to be paid. The liberality of several gentlemen with reference to claims upon the society was acknowledged. Mr. Hill produced a plan for aviaries, and a contract for the construction of the same by Mr. Evans. Messrs Peacock, Hill, and Aynsley were appointed as a committee to fix the site for the aviaries, and to make other arrangements connected with the design of the gardens. A letter from the Uev. H. Torlesse was read and considered. It suggested the desirability of planting brooms in the domain to form a shelter for the birds. Another letter was read from the same gentlemen, stating that he had made a donation of native plants to the society, and offering, as a means of relieving the present distress, to send men to work in the gardens, half their wages to be paid by the society. The secretary was directed to write and decline the offer with thanks. Mr. Johnston reported that he had examined the swans which had recently been killed. He was of opinion that their destruction must be attributed to dogs. Poison has been laid on the grounds of the society iu consequence. The birds were in fine condition, proving that the river well adapted for them, and that they can susfainthe coldest .weather they may be exposed to here without injury. After some further business of a routine nature, the meeting broke up.