WELLINGTON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8990, 15 May 1890, Page 7

WELLINGTON ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

(Continuation of -Summary from Supplement.)

ANNUAL MEETING. The fifth annual meeting of members of jfeWs Society was held at the Museum on April 29. There was a fairly large •attendance, and Captain Humfrey presided. The report for the nineteen months ■ ending with the 31st of March last explained that the date of the annual meeting had had to be altered from September to April in consequence of the Animals Protection Act passed last session having rendered it necessary for acclimatisation societies to close their financial year on ■ the 31st of March. During the last nineteen months the Society had been progressing, and had become self-supporting 'by means of license fees, sales of fish, and contributions from kindred societies. The revenue from all sources had been well maintained, and a credit balance of L 155 3s lid was shown. The amount received from shooting licenses (L 129 12s ■' 6d) was rather more than in the year 1888 ; while the fis’iing licenses (L 274 ss) and sales of trout (L 97 13s Cd) taken together amounted to more than double the sum received from those sources in any previous year. Recapitulating briefly the Society’s history, the report expressed appreciation of the support given to it by members of kindred societies, and referred to the difficulties induced by “thcruinous plague of rabbits.” It mentioned also that the Society was now “ a well-established ■ institution, nearly self-supporting, distributing fish throughout the former provincial districts of Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Marlborough, and Soufch/.land.” The report of the ranger, Mr N. • Grace, on the red deer in the Wairarapa, was to the effect that the deer continued to increase, and were gradually spreading through the bush country lying between •the Maungaraki and the East Coast, which Mr Grace thought would eventually become their stronghold. With respect ■to hares, some settlers near the Lower Hutt had applied for permission to keep • hares down out of season, but the -Council did nob think these animals •existed in such numbers as to warrant taking them out. «f the category of game, and thus probably leading to their externvnation. With regard to birds it was reported that for some time ducks, pigeons, and kakas had been greatly decreasing, but latterly the revival of the flax industry and improved ■condition of the labour market bad reduced the number of men who shoot for the market as a means of gaining a livelihood, and given the birds more peace. ;Specimens supposed to be the Chatham Island snipe had been seen lately and it might be worth while bringing some over in hope that they would include this Colony in their migrations. The season had been an exceptionally good one for pheasants, which were more numerous in the Hutt and Horowhenua Grmcties than they had been for years. Californian quail were increasing fast, bub Australian quail were spreading slowly. Many imported insectivorous birds, such as the thrush and hedge warbler, were gaining a firmer footing. An attempt to introduce some English •partridgi'S had failed, owing to the birds .being lost* but another effort would be made.'®T?>ealing witfi insects, the report stated that humble bees were spreading fast, a d recommended the introduction of the European ladybird (coccinalhe) to prey on the troublesome aphides so plentiful in New Zealand. ‘Hie year’s,work of the Society in pisciculture* had resulted .in 299,345 fish having been scut out from the Masterton ponds, in addition to 31,000 •eyed ova of various kinds. The yields ■during 1889 were as follow: —American brook char, 106,500 ova, hatching 83,926 •fry after sending 6000 eyed ova to Hawkes Bay ; Loch Leveh trout, 84,000 ova, 47,050 fry: Brown trout, 135,000 ova, 93,700 fry, and 25,000 eyed ova sent out ; Brown trout, 2000 ova (only two fish spawning), 1200 fry ; Carpione Lake trout, 4000 ova (from eight miniature fish), IOOOIFiy, the first successfully reared in the Colony. The increase in production had necessitated considerable improvements, and nine new ponds had been made at Masterton, two others deepened, ■and a race cut and timbered. In recogni-: Hon of the faithful and zealous manner in which Mr Ayson, the curator, had discharged his duties, the Council paid him a t'o •us of L 25 last year, and recom■jy ~ded its continuance. The stock generally was healthy and in good condition. In conclusion, the report urged •sportsmen to lose no opportunity of reducing the number of shags, especially in Horowhenua County, where they did -a great deal of damage among the trout; and returned thanks to the Railway Commissioners, the Manawatu Ra Iway Company, the Union Steam Shipping Company, and many colonists who had aided in the work of acclimatisation.

The Chairman directed special attention to the circumstance that, through the efforts of the Secretary, Mr Rutherfurd, h number of societies had recognised this as the central distributing body, and the arrangements for payment to this Society and distribut'on of fish 'by it were, he believed, satisfactory to'all parties. Regarding cdmplaints 'Sometimes made that the Society’s efforts to preserve gnme were inadequate, he took the opportunity to «ay that they did all that’ was in their ‘power, and .that the laying of poison for ■rabbits made'it almost impossible to take any further steps. Mr Fortescuo juoycd, and Mr Higginson seconded, the adoption of the report and balanc .'-sheet, which was carried. OFFICE-BEARERS. The Chairman conveyed to the Secvo taiy (Mr Rutherfurd) and Treasurer (Mr L. G. Reid) his‘ warm appreciation of their services. (Hear, hear.) The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with. His Excellency the Governor, having ‘ intimated his willingness to accept the Presidency of the Society, was elected to that office. Sir James Hector and Mr W. T. L. Travers were re-elected Vice-Presidents ; Messrs A. de B. Brandon, G. Denton, H. P. 'Higginson, J. Holmes, C. St. Barbe, N. W. Werry. W. H. Beetliam, MrFortescue, and Major Campbell, were re-elected a Council. Captain Humfrey expressed a wish to withdre* v Vein the chairmanship of the Council. PEEK ON THE TAKARUA RANOES. Mr J. Stuckey suggested that it would be well to get some red deer on the. Tarawa ranges. Mr W. H. Beetham said two does and a buck had been put over there. The Chairman said a stag had been seen -among Mr Arthur Russell’s sheep at Palnirrston North. Several other gentlemen syoke of stags having been soon in different parts of the district. The secretary said he had an

offer of L3O for a pair for Lake Wakatipu, and L2O for a pair for Taranaki. The difficulty was, however, to catch them. SHOOTING. Mr Werry suggested that the Council should do something for the shooting branch of their work. He was informed, for instance, that an excellent partridge might be imported from India, and he suggested that they should also endeavour to get snipe, say from the Auckland Isles. Other kinds of birds might also be introduced.

The Chairman said the district about Wellington was getting chockful of rabbits. They were in Makara and in the Lower Hutt; and the question was whether it was possible to maintain birds. Fishing was a thing from which the Society could get a return, but with birds it was diffierent—you never knew when they might be poisoned. As to snipe, he understood that it was not possible to induce them to stay in a fresh country. The black partridge of India had been introduced, but the venture, apparently, had nit been successful. Still, the experiment might be tried, and the Council would, no doubt, consider the matter. Mr Higginson did not think it would be of any use importing the English partridge because, as they did not take to the bush, they fell a prey to the hawks. Mr Fortescue moved that, the whole question be referred to the Council. This was agreed to. Mr Reid suggested that the Society might start breeding pheasan’s at Mas terton. - , . -

The Chairman said a proposal was made some time ago to acquire the right of a tract of laud at the Hutt as s preserve. The settlors had agreed to come to an arrangement, hnt nothing further was done. Mr Werry explained that the Society were not able to make a satisfactory arrangement. It was further decided to ask the Council to consider the advisableness of introducing moles, toads, etc., for the destruction cf grubs and similar pests. THE CURATOR. Mr Beetham spoke in praise of the work of Mr Ayson, curator at Masterton, to whom, he said, they were very deeply indebted, Much of the Society’s success was due to that officer’s zeal and - ability. The Chairman followed in a similar strain, and remarked that probably the success of the Masterton ponds was as much due to Mr Beetham as to Mr Ayson. This concluded the business.

At a subsequent meeting of the Council, Captain Humfrey was re-elected chairman. Mr A. J. Rutherfurd secretary, and Mr L. G. Reid treasurer.