ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6827, 3 October 1883, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon at two o'clock. Present: Messrs. fi. Hobba, M.H.R. (in the chair), J. Burtt, and T. Motrin. The minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted. Finance.—The Secretary read the financial statement, which showed that the balance in bank and receipts amounted to £510 19s lOd. The expenditure amounted to £85 lis sd, leaving a credit balance of £425 8a 5d in the bank.

Convictions.—The Chairman asked if all the rewards due on account of convictions had been paid, and how much they amounted to.—The Secretary stated that he could not tell at once the total amount which had been piid for convictions, but all that he had learned of were paid.—The Chairman understood that the applications for such payments had to come through the Clerk of the Court. —The Secretary stated that the way which had been followed in the past was that Superintendent Thomson sent him word of convictions having been obtained, and who was entitled to the reward.—Mr. Morrin Baid without Bome sach means of being informed, convictions might take place in country districts without the knowledge of the Bociety.

A Wrong Payment.—A letter waa read from the Colonial Secretary's Office, apprising the society that a payment bad been made to the Auckland Society in excess of what was justly due. A sum of £67 10a was included which should have been sent to the aociety there. He aaked that the money might be forwarded to its proper destination.—ln reply to a question, the Secretary stated that he had consulted tbe Treasurer, and in obedience to hia wish, the money had been sent to Tauranga.—The action was approved.

Objection to the Game Laws.—The following correspondence was then read:— "Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 11th September, 1883. Sir, —I have the honour by direction of the Colonial Secretary to enclose herewith a copy of a letter from the Mangonui County Council, which contains a resolution passed by the Council to the effect that the county of Mangonai should be excluded from the game laws, and I have to request that you will favour the Colonial Secretary with any remarks which your society may be pleased to make on the subject.—l am, &c. (signed) G-. S. Cooper. T. F. Cheeseman, Esq., Secretary Auckland Acclimatisation Society, Auckland." —(Gopy) " County Office, Mangonui, An-' gust 22, 1883. Sir, —I have the honour to draw your attention to the following resolution passed at the meeting of the Council on the 13th August, 1883' That in the opinion of this Council the game licenses are undesirable and unjust, and that the Government be asked to exclude this county from, the operations of the game laws.'—l am, &c., W. J. Harris, Clerk M. C. C. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington."—Mr. Burtt remarked thf-fc the county councillors of Mangonui gave no reason for the course which they suggested.—The Chairman: Yes, they say the game laws _ are unjust and undesirable. —Mr. Morrin moved, "That this society see no reason to recommend the Government to suspend the operations of the game laws in the county of Mangonui." — Mr. Burtt seconded the motion, which was adopted.— The Secretary stated that he had learned that one of the councillors of Mangonui had been pulled up under the Aet, and that was probably the origin of the action they had taken.

Trout Hatching.—The Secretary reported that the reports respecting the hatching of the trout lately received were generally favourable. From Mr. Earl he" had not yet heard, and with the exception of Opotiki, the reports were all highly satisfactory. The ova to Opotiki had .been delayed, and about half of the ova had been lost in consequence.

Hatching Pond at Waitakerei.—The Secretary reported that the hatching of the trout and keeping the same in the ponds in the gardens had been so great that it had been thought desirable by the Pish Committee t at more should be done in this direction. It was suggested to construct ponds at Waitafeerei, where 5000 or 6000 trout could be hatched. The cost was estimated at from £10 to £12. Some of the trout in the gardens were of considerable weight. —Mr. Morrin asked if they got plenty of food there ?—The Secretary stated that they were fed regularly. About 100 were now in tbe garden ponda.—After some conversation about liberating them, it was stated that in the course of two years' time they would be breeding, from which a regular supply could be obtained.—lt was agreed to keep them there so long as they remained healthy.—On the motion of Mr. MorriD, seconded by Mr. Burtt, the recommendation of the Fish Committee to have breeding ponds at Waitakerei was adopted.

Brook Trout.—Some conversation took place respecting obtaining a supply of brook trout_ from California. In reply to Mr. Morrin, the Secretary stated that tae cost would be about £1 per 1000 landed in Auckland, and that, by ordering them by the next mail steamer, they would reach here in February.—Mr. Burtt asked how many would be required ?—TheChairman said, say 20,000. The society should do something in the way of introducing valuable fish. When got here, they, should endeavour to breed them as they were doing with the brown trout.—On the motion of Mr. Morrin, seconded by Mr, Burtt, it was resolved to order 25,000 ova from California by the first outgoing mail; Trout in the Komata.—Mr. Burtt read a private letter from Mr. R. A., Wight, of Komata, in which he stated that trout were becoming abundant in the Komata. At first, he had doubted the truth of the report, but he learned from the natives that the flesh ot the strange fish was of a pink colour. The natives aaid they wonld not take bait (worms, etc.). Mr.! Wight told Mr. Burtt that in ashort time he could bring his rod and line with him and enjoy fishing there.—Mr. Morrin said if the statement was reliable, steps shonld be taken to prevent the fish being being destroyed.—The Secretary had heardof a fish having been found in someof theThamesValley creeks, buthebelieved they had been proved to be young mullet. Mr. Burtt stated that two years ago strange fish had been found in the creek that flowed through his land. The flesh was pink, and some of the fish had been shot.—Mr. Morrin asked if any trout had there 2 —■The Secretary stated that some had been liberated at Te Aroha about twelve months ago.—Mr. Hobbs suggested that the strange fißh might be young salmon. Mr. Firth had placed out a large'quantity of salmon ova in rivers leading into the Thames River years ago, and it might be some of the young of the Californian salmon. If so, the whole river might be stocked, as the result o£ Mr. Firth's efforts. Something shonld be done to ascertain the true character of the strange fish.—Mr. Morrin said the fish, while young, should be fed and cared for, and not sent out among the eels until they wera able to oare for themselves. Accounts.—The monthly accounts were passed, and the meeting separated.

" Bdoho-Paiba."—Quick, complete cure, an annoying kidney, bladder, and Urinary disease* Agents? 8 3e "' 038 k® l Go-t Sydney, Genera!