ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1650, 31 March 1866, Page 2

ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of this Society did not take place on Thursday last, as there was no quorum ; but by the courtesy of the Secretary we have obtained the following information:

Since the last meeting five new members have joined the society, viz. Messrs. W. Stringer, W, Bamford, T. Barber, Wm. Swale, and Master Thus. Jacobs.

The following contributions have also been made; by Major Scott, a Paradise Duck and two Teal; by Mr. JamesEield,aKing Penguin: by Mr. G. Packe, Dr. Buckland's work on fish hatching; by Mr. Armstrong, gardener to Mr. Gould, a large collection of choice cutting; by Mr. James Long, a collection of native seeds; by Master J. Deans, two Tuis; and by Mr. McConnell, a kingfisher. Letters have been received by the Secretary from Dr Officer, respecting the ova, &c, and from Mr. F. Conyers, respecting a Lizard. Dr. Officer in his letter states as follows: Melbourne, 23rd Feb. My dear sir,—l was absent from home when your note of Nov. last reached Hobart Town, and am only now about to return. I intended to have delayed replying to your letter until I had had an opportunity of laying it before my brother Commissioners, with a view to obtain an expression of their opinion respecting the request of your society that a few boxes of the salmon ova, &c, exp< cted from England, should be forwarded for hatching under your care. I feel, however, that any dulay in writing on this account is needless, as on more than one occasion the Commissioners have already very strongly objected to any division of the ova until the fish had been firmly and beyond all risk of disappointment established in one locality. This has always been my own conviction, and it is that of the Acclimatization Society of Victoria, who, although bearing half the expense of the expected importation, have wisely, I think, decided to forward the whole of the salmon ova to our ponds at the Plenty, where the completeness of our appliances and the colonial experiences of Mr. Ramsbottom, as well as of the Commissioners, afford the best guarantee of success. When we can obtain spawn from our own fish —and I believe the time is not far distant when we shall do this—abundant supplies of ova will be sent to Canterbury and elsewhere without risk andatavery triflingcost. As soon as I return to HobartTownmeasures shall be taken to forward to you a supply of tench and the other fish you mention, and we shall be very glad to receive from your society a few of the Paradise ducks and Wekas at your convenience. In addition to what I have stated above regarding the unadvisability of sending you a few boxes of our expected salmon and trout ova, I should mention that this step would involve the necessity of sending also a considerable portion of the ico without which there would be very little chance of any of them surviving. It is doubtful also what effect tho vibration of a steamer for six days con tinuously would have upon them. On the former occasion we dreaded on their account voyige of only 40 hours, which, however, seemed to have done them no harm. Fresh ova sent in the winter season will need no ice and will not sutler from the transport. By my last, advices an ico house had been.,erected on board the fine ship Lincolnshire, which was to sail on tho 20th January, and may bo expected here about 10th April. ' Mr. Ka.nsbottom lately weighed six ot our trout, and found that they avoraged 15 ozs. each, showing a rapidity of growth oxceeding, he says, anything ever witnessed in England. Ihe salmon 'have no doubt thriven equally well, and must now be on their way back to the place ot their nativity in the form of grilse. Yours, &c, B. Officer. Mr. Conyer's letter has been replied to by the Secretary .requesting that the lizard be forwarded by Cobb and Co., and stating that for the purpose of exchange Tui birds, Paradise ducks, kakas, and ground parrots would be very desirable. The monthly balance-

sheet Bhowe a balance of £42 14a 4d in favour of the society. We understand that H. De Bourbel, Esq., haa offered to obtain for the society seeds and plants from-the Himalaya mountains, if it will pay the expense of carriage- -, it rests with the sodetokto determine whether it will accept this Offer at its next meeting... The enclosure l inJthe Domain is being proceeded:with as fast as circumstances will permit*; 44 yards of fencing have already been put up, leaving 112. yards still to be erected.