ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3847, 12 March 1874, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Tlii: annual mooting of the Auckland Accl - matisation Society took place ye3i:. a ay aftc. ■ noon, at the Museum Br : ldingi, F.'nccistreet, —J. C. rirlb, Esq. (president), 'ti :lio chair. There wore nrejen —Br. Oomphr/', M'ssr:. J. Burtt-, W. J. Hurst, T. Mi- Torlane, and J. Slat* jr.—The Secrel _■ (Mr. JS. B. Dickesu) re.iu the m'uutes of the last general meeting, which were di''y co::P -uifrl. Ho then rer 1 the aunurl re; bat 0.-' 2; ::. pressure upon our we are unab'e to givo it !'i extcrso. The report showed that tho Council of the Society had succeed. I .0 extinguish'!)? the debt which had so long been an incubus on their operations. By si.; -! economy thsy had been able to shew a Imbalance to their c.'edit at the Bank ; in consequence their efforts had been almost exclusively confined to the diffusion of birds anJ fish introduced, conipelliug the society to forego its usual freßh importations di' -nig tho past season. The Cju:ic :i . cougratuluted the society on t.'ie lui\~? of a'.;.e;ss that specie! ancb to wl-icli its principal effo.ts had been directed, viz., the ; itrod.: - tion of English insectivorous birds, no part of tho colony being able to shew u greater number or more extensive variety fairly established as permanent colonists, and spreading from place to pla.-e throughout the protinoe. The rooks were building ucsts and progressing favouri-bly, so that the success of thut important and costly importation might be considered secured. Only one brace of red grouse had been successfully imported during tho year, notwithstanding the tare and exertions manifested by Mr. Larkworthy in their shipiuont. Xiiey had be in forwarded to MuUiuiufn, aud liberated at M-. Firth's station. The pair liberated at the same place last year had thriven and established themselves ; their cry was frequently heard, pud it was hoped that they would spread themselves from that centre over the Upper Waikato and Taupo districts. Mr. Larkworthy Lad uljo forwarded a parcel of heather seed, which had beon distributed at Taupo, MCatamata, and Alexandra, and also amongst tho various Aee'imati=aticn Societies of the Southern provinces. The same gentleman had attempted J to send another shipment of black game, but without success, all tho birds dy.ng before reaching the docks. Good repoi'e of tho Ca'-'forniuu qu:iil ht>i been received from Wangare?, and they were not likoly to require any further care. A number of other birds imported by the socioty had also established themselves permanently in that locality. Tho re port statod that to the list of b : rds now acclimatised may be added the goldfinch • and redpole; the former are to bo seen in largo flocks. Linnets of various kinds and skylarks are coirmon, and more than one nest of hedge sparrows has been observed. The Council has ulready arranged for the introduction of a number of soft-billed birds du*int; the ensuing year, the extensive ravages of smrH insects shewing plainly that for some time to come the chief efforts of the Society are imperatively in that direction. Wagtc'ls and oilier birds aro now being procured in London by the hon. secretary, aud advices of their shipment may shortly be expected. The thanks of the Society are due to the Board of Salmon Commissioners of Tasmania for the shipment of trout ova which had been received, 99 per cent, having arrived iu good condition. The young fish had been distributed to several stations. A3 to financial matters, it would be obserred that tho game licences were iu excess of last 3'ear ; a srnad deficiency appeared in tho amount of admission fe«s to the Society's gardens. The decrease i'l the amount of subscriptions as compared with last year wa-f mainly owing to the non-receipt of advices of amounts collected iu England by Mr. Larkworthy. Notwithstanding the remarkable dryness of th<4 season the curator had suocesded iu maintaining the attractions of the gardens, aud arrangements were now beiug made for an independent aud permanent supply of water. The report concluded by the Council expressing their sense of the groat loss the society have sustained by the retirement of tho late secretary, Mr. T. Kirk, 1T.1j.5., to whose labours aud loving diligence the society was mainly indebted for its present position. Votes of thi>nl~ w<:v accorded to W. K. i Graliuiu, hon. u-.'C., iu Ljuaer,_ Mr. L-.ua-

"*^ M 1 111 ■" 1 "II ] worthy, and other gentlemen in London ; also to Mr. Gibson Ferrier, who brought ou*; the red grouse from home.—The following i* the financial statement: —Dr. To cash in treasurer's hands, £3 3s; subscriptions and donations, £146 13s; licence fees, £378 11a 8d ; fines, £17 ; admission fees, £133 18s 8d ; sales of plants, birds, &0.. £S4 3s 3d ; due hon. sec. in London, £15 9s 6d ; toto.l, £778 19s Id. Cr. By balance duo Bank of New Zealand, Ist March, 1873, £212 16s sd; ■balance due hon. see. iu London, £16 16a 10d; salary and wages, £334 Is ; birds, fish, &e., £63 Os lOd j food for birds, &c., £30 19s 9id; freight, garden expenses, contingencies, £62 6s 9Vd, hawks' heeds., £4 13s; printing, advertising, postage, £27 10= Od; permanent improyements, £8 63 4d ; cash is treasurer's hands, 43 7d ; balance at Bank of Kcw Zealand, on 2nd Hareh, 1574, £18 2s 9d ; total, £778 19s Id. The report and accounts, as read, were unanimously adapted. Tho meeting then proceeded to the election of onicers for the ensuing year. His -Excellency the G-overnor (Sir uames Ferjuscon) was nominated patron, subject to his acceptance of the office, resident, Mr. I). L. Murdoch; vice-pte«iueiu, Mr. J. C. Firth; secret:-.:-'.. Mr. J£. 15. ijicksor.; -upmbers of council, Hon. James Williamson, M:-.jer Ja-Ason, Dr. Camp-b-.-U, 111-iSi-i!. T. W. Bussett (Utahuhu), James Biirtt, E. Cornish (Wangarei), W. Earl, T. P. Gillies, J. W. Hall (Crrahsmstovvr;), W. Hay, (Papakura), R. Jaobba (Pokeno), W. J. Hurst, James Sialier. Xhomns Morrii-, F. Wbitakei-, Cr. B. Owen, W. J. Pulaier, K. H. Power (ijhortland), W. Swiinson, Jp.mo& Watt, L. D. Jfathau, mid Patrick Leslie. Iu was decided to write Mr. J. Waymouth nit &fr. X. L. "White to act 113 auditors. Xt> ; s concluded the business.