ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 5006, 6 March 1877, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

An adjourned meeting of the Council was held at the Society’s Gardens yesterday afternoon ; present the Hon J. T. Peacock (chairman), Drs Nedwill and Powell, Messrs 8. O. Farr (honseo), J.P. Jameson (treasurer), O. E. Blakiston, J. E. Hill, J. 0. Boys, B. W. Fereday, H. £. Johnstone, P. flanmer, and A. Garrick.

A telegram was read from Dr Hector, stating that the Government wished to have the American white fish liberated in Lake Coleridge, with the exception of a few which might be kept in the Society’s ponds for experimental observation. The Curator reported that nearly all tbe fish had escaped from the hatching boxes. He had found it necessary to place muslin in front of the perforated zinc, through whioh the water flowed from the boxes, to prevent the escape of the fish, and the muslin becoming ohoked the water had flowed over and carried the fish away. After a few general remarks on the matter, the Secretary was requested to convey the information given by the Curator to Dr Hector. Mr Hill moved—“That'duok shooting this year shall commence on April 13 and conclude on August 1.” He said the dates were later than last year, and as the heavy rains had made this a late season, the alteration was necessary. Mr Farr seconded the motion. A discussion ensued, during which members expressed the opinion that April 13 was too early to commence shooting, and an amendment moved by Mr Boys, to the effect that the shooting should commence on May 1 and conclude on Aug. 1, was agreed to. Mr Hill next moved—“ That it is desirable cock pheasant shooting should commence this year on Juno 1 and conclude on June 30.” His reason for wishing the season to be later than last year was the same as he gave in moving the previous resolution. A long discussion ensued, several amendments being proposed and lost. One of them, moved by Dr Nedwill, was to the effect that the season should only be a fortnight in duration this year instead of a month. Dr Nedwill said if the Council did not wish to have pheasants exterminated, the season should certainly be made shorter than last last year. To his knowledge lots'dTheris wore ahot’last year, and ot the end of the season scarcely any were to be seen, where they had previously been plentiful. Several members of the Council, in reply to Dr Nedwill, said the pheasants had been driven away by the shooting and wet weather from the vicinity of iChristchurch, but on the dry lands away from \ centres of population, they were much more numerous than ever; in fact some people had been led by this to suggest that there should be two months’ shooting instead of one this year. ■ Mr Hill’s motion was ultimately agreed to. The Chairman, Messrs Farr and Hill were appointed as a deputation to wait upon Mr Rolleston to request that the times agreed upon for duck and pheasant shooting should be proclaimed in the Gazette. It was further decided that notice should be given to all rangers of the arrangements made on this subject, with a request that they would give their best attention to preventing shooting out of season. The Secretary was also requested to 'have small bills printed, with tbe view of distributing them among the hotels and stores throughout the Canterbury district.

Mr Fereday moved, “ That 15 of the English salmon be given to the late curator, Mr Johnson, as compensation for the English salmon ova claimed by him.” He said Mr Johnson had agreed to accept 15 salmon in full discharge ot his claim, and he (Mr Fereday) thought it was very liberal ot him to do so, as he had been most abominably treated. Mr Hill seconded the motion. He said he was afraid several members of the Council had allowed their prejudice against Mr Johnson to influence -them in deciding on former occasions not to admit his claim. Tbe Chairman, Mr Farr, Mr Johnstone, and Dr Powell spoke against the resolution, tbe principal ground taken being that tbe late Council, after carefully taking evidence on the whole matter, had decided that Mr Johnson had no claim on the Society. The motion was negatived by seven to throe. Mr Fereday at once tendered his resignation, with tho remark that he would not remain a member of tbe Council to be a party to an injustice. Tho resignation was accepted, and Mr J. Wallace was elected to tho vacancy, subject to bis consent to act. Mr Jameson, after referring to tbe small amount received from subscriptions (last year it was £2O), suggested tbat a collector should be appointed, and the Treasurer was authorised to engage Mr T. Pillow at a commission of 10 per cent. It was decided that tbe English salmon in the Gardens, which numbered 175, should be liberated in tho Bivor Ashley. A letter was read from Mr H. Bills, who is now ia New South Wales, stating tbat be was willing to make another trip to England if the Society wished to import any more English birds, and that tho beat time for him to Lave hero would be about the middle of May. Mr Hanmer asked if anything had been done towards importing prairie hens. Mr Farr said an order had been sent for some. Mr Johnstone said he din not think it desirable to introduce any more small birds, but ho would like to see some grouse obtained. Mr Jameson said Mr Bills would not go for them. Mr Hanmer said red grouse would not do here, but blank game might bo imported with advantage. The Chairman asked if it was worth while sending Mr Bills home for black game alone. The unanimous reply was in tho negative. The Secretary wos instructed to inform Mr Bills tbat thu Council do not see their way ot present to send homo for any more birds. It was decided to recommend the HonT. H. Wigley (Timaru), Messrs E. Goodwin (Pigeon Bay), L.. White (Loeston), and H, Scott (Opawa), for appointment os rangers. Dr Nedwill said he thought tho Council should be more careful in the appointment of rangers than they had been in times past. He believed tnat several poachers had been appointed rangers, and with a view to preventing a repetition of this, he would move—“ That no person be recommended for appointment as a ranger unless he be proposed ond seconded by members of the Council ; also, tbat the names of all candidates for appointment be posted for one 'month before beitg elected.” The motion was seconded and agreed to. A letter was read from Mr Bead, Wester-

field, suggesting that 600 or 1000 young salmon should be liberated in the Ashburton, and stating that the starlings he had liberated were doing very well, and that the pheasants were spreading all over tbe country. Tbe Curator said there were a few American salmon in the ponds, but they were too large to be moved as far as (he Ashburton. The Secretary was requested to inform Mr Beed that the Council have no salmon available for liberating in the Ashburton. A letter was read from Colonel Faoke, apologising for his inability to attend the meeting, and suggesting that the Curator’s salary should be raised from £l2O to £l6O per year. The matter was deferred for consideration until the next meeting of the Council, the Chairman, Messrs Farr and Jameson to report in the meantime upon the general management of the Gardens. The Council then adjourned.