AUCKLAND ACOLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11887, 12 February 1902, Page 6

AUCKLAND ACOLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was held in the Museum Buildings yesterday afternoon, Mr. A. C. Whitney occupying the chair. There were also present: Messrs. O. Bloomfield, J. Hardie, and the secretary (Mr. T. F. Cheeseman). An apology for absence was received from the president of the society, Mr. James Burtt, whose inability to be present was due to indisposition. The secretary read the monthly financial statement, which showed the receipts to be £26 18s lid, and the expenditure" was £944s lOd, while there was a balance in the Bank of New Zealand of £88 19s lOd. A communication was received from the inspector of police giving particulars of convictions for breaches of the Animals' Protection Act, obtained by Constable Cav inagh, at Taupiri. It was agreed tc forward to the constable the usual gratuity of £2. Mr. C. E. Beechen, of Pokeno, wrote complaining of destruction of potato and maize crops by pheasants, and asking the society to compensate him for the loss of same. The members considered that lie had hardly given sufficient proof of his loss, even supposing that the society were in a position to compensate people. The Cambridge Borough Council wrote applying for trout lry to be placed in the Waikato and tributaries near Cambridge. It was agreed to reply to the effect that the weather was too hot to distribute trout at the present time, but the matter would be considered later in autumn. A like application was received from the Te Aroha Domain Board, and it was resolved to forward a similar reply. A considerable amount of correspondence was received from the Kotorua Anglers' Club and the Kotorua Sporting Association, relative to the netting of trout and the necessity for certain works in the Kotorua district. It was agreed to discuss this matter at a special meeting, to be called in a short

Mr. A. 0. Whitney wrote concerning a recent decision of the Kaitangata Court in respect to imported game, and after tho letter was read a lengthy discussion took place on tho matter. An opinion on the subject from Messrs. Gillies and Colbeck, the society;." solicitors, was read, stating that in their opinion the decision given in the case was a mistake. A letter was read from Captain Asa Whitney, drawing attention to the enormous damage done to game by stoats and weasels in the country north of Auckland, and asking could anything be done to check the increase of these animals. He also inquired whether the society -could see its way to introduce certain game birds. It was resolved to refer the matter to tho Game Committee. _ Mr. Kenrick, of the Thames, wrote giving information of two cases of breaches of the Gaming Act, in which Ranger McWilhams had been successful in obtaining convictions. The gratuity ot £2 was granted. The curator's monthly report was read, and certain matters of local interest respecting tho hatchery were discussed.