ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 4465, 5 June 1875, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A special meeting of the Council Jwas held at the Public Library, yesterday afternoon. Present—Messrs J. Marahman, Wallace, A. Duncan, H. B. Johnson, S. O. Farr (hon sec), J. A. Bird, W. D. Wood, and Sir Graoroft Wilson. On the motion of Mr Duncan, Mr Marshman was voted to the chair. A letter was read from Mrs Watts-Bussell, ■iking permission to keep the blackbirds purchased from the Society in an aviary until the first week in August, as they were not yet ■ble to fly properly. Sir Cracroft Wilson said it would be a very good thing if other people were to apply for permission to do the same with recently imported birds. Mr J. A. Bird moved —“ That the request preferred by. Mrs Watts-Bussell be granted,” The motion was seconded, and agreed to. Mr Henry Barnett, of Le Son’s Bay, was appointed a ranger, subject to the approval of toe Superintendent. A letter was mad from Mr B. J. S. Harman, of toe Domain Board, stating that the portion of the Domain refeired to in an application ixom the Society, in connection with toe ■oheme for hatching trout, wae frequently used by schools and others for pio-nios, and as the amusements of the children, so far as

he knew, was found as much in the river as co land, the Board could not permit the Society to close that portion of the river in ‘ 'ffielipot under notice for any length of time 5 hot aa he understood the Society only desired to occupy it for a short time, he would, if informed of the time for which it would be required, bring the matter again before the Board. Mr Wallace said he had. told Mr Harman that the Society would only want that portion of the river referred to during the.month of September. After some discussion, it was resolved-* n That Mr Harmaa should be informed the Society would require the use of that part of the river referred to for about three months from the present date." The Curator’s report was read: — ;. ‘'The two most important and useful birds to be obtained from Australia the curator believes to be the magpie, and swallow. Great difficulty has hitherto attended the transport of these latter birds on account of their habit of. only taking their food whilst on the wing • this difficulty can, however, how be practically overcome by the aid of a little fly catching machine which has been recently introduced into Melbourne. The machine moves by clock workj and catches the flies alive in extraordi. aary numbers. By utilising this live.food supply, and by means of sufficiently large and suitable cages, there can be ;iittle doubt that with judicious care swallows might be transported with little risk. - The next desirable bird is the curlew or stone plover, beih£ harmless and insect-eating. Australian quail, though not so hardy and suitable ae the Californian, can occasionally h.e obtained very ohekp iu Sydney. Minah birds wpnldprobably be undesirable on account of - their propensity of driving away all the other birds. The Australian robin is vety handsome and exclusively insect-eating, but probably not so handsome as our native robins and fantails. A few Cape barren geese to mate the two already in the gardens would be desirable. Several statements have been received respecting the inability of the blackbirds and thrushes to fly whan-liberated, and consequently the great danger of their falling , a prey to cats, hawks,

Sir Cracroft Wilson said he wished to inculcate prudence into’the future working of the Society. Bethought it was questionably whether inch institutions as this would obtain any grant in future .'from the Provincial Council, as there was a strong impression abroad that they had been fostered enough, and should now become' self-supporting. He had hoped that the sale of the birds recently imported would have brought in a large amount, but, as notwithstanding the small price put upon them by the Society, they did not sell freely, he could not see the desirability of sending to England for more birds. Phe rnmirman said, perhaps it would be advisable now to send to Australia instead of 'England, and get something hew. Mr Farr said he would, like to ask Sir Cracroft Wilson whether the balance of £3OO from last year's vote to the Society had been re-voted, and if the £7OO vo£e was in addition to it; vSir Cracroft Wilson replied in the affirmative. ■ ' Mr Farr: Then we have £IOOO now to receive from the Government, Sir Cracroft Wilson: Yes. Mr Bird said, as a commencement he would mov6 _« That one hundred magpies be obtained from Melbourne;" Mr Johnstone said, be thought that the Society might effect a saving by entering into communication with the curators of the Sydney and Melbourne Societies, who, he had no doubt would be glad to give every assistance in collecting a quantity of birds for the Society. The Council might ask the gentlemen ho had referred, to what they could obtain swallows, magpies, and other birds in large quantities for; and, after receiving information on this bead, the council, If they had money to spare, could ask the curators to ■end the birds over, either in charge of Mr Sills, who was going to Melbourne on bis own acoonnt, or in charge of One of their owri men. By this means the Society would geithebirds at the first cost, as it were, and _ effect a considerable saving in' money. This might bo gathered from the fact that Mr Buis wanted £3 per pair for swallows, if he undertook a contract to go for a number for the S °Mr 7 Bille, who was in attendance, laid he would undertake to supply swallows for the Society in Melbourne, at 2» fid per pair, but the risk of lots on the voyage was so great that he could not deliver them here at less -than £8 per pair. He might put 100 on board and not land ten. With respect to magpies, he would undertake to deliver them in Christchurch at 18* per pair. Mr Wallace said he thought it would be better to defer the importation of more birds until such time a* the Council could see its way better to undertake the expense. Mr Farr said he would point out that the ..re-vote of £3OO made by the Provincial Council was expressly for the importation of • salmon, from California. Mr Johnstone said he was glad to hear that "this restriction.had! been placed upon it. , Mr Duncan said considering all circumstances, he thought that a policy of inaction with respect to birds would bo best for the Society to adopt at present, and he would

therefore move—" That the further importation of birds be deferred for the present." Mr Bird seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to, The Oounoil then adjourned.