ACCLIMATISATION.
That real friend to acclimatisation, Mr. James AYheatley, has handed us a letter which we publish below, detailing the sad havoc made by youngsters on the acclimatised birds in this district. Dr. Charles Smith, of Otepopo. supplies us with information which will be read with deep regret by all persons taking an interest in what we may term the localisation of English birds and game in this Colony. It certainly is most discouraging that gentlemen, who by private enterprise and at a great expense and trouble, should be so thwarted in their endeavours to acclimatise these winged strangers. Writing to Mr. AYheatley, the Doctor says : '•' My dear Sir. —It is not pleasant to be the bearer of evil tidings. I had occasion to call upon Mr. Kewlands (farmer) this morning, and my attention was directed to a fine swan—dead—among the tussocks, which Mr. IST. had come across a few days ago. I brought it up to his house. It appears to have been shot flying (both wings broken), and left where it fell. It seems that some fellows from the Mouth are for ever- shooting up the river. Should you think proper to go down to Mr. K's, you will see the bird, and possibly quiet enquiries set a-foot, might lead to the discovery of the perpetrator of this wanton outrage ; or a reward offered, might lead to his detection. I am truly grieved and concerned about this business, and am sorry for the pain winch this evil news will cause yourself." The latter part of Dr. Smith's letter is more satisfactory. He writes : "I saw two pheasants to-day. Mr. Henderson tells me he came across a hare and a pheasant on the Tables, and a hare was seen feeding in Mr. M'Kay's paddock, Allday Bay. There is a hare in Mr. Ross's field, Otepopo. I have twice fallen in with
a pair of your skylarks on the Company's land adjoining Mr. Falconer's farm. I heard a mavis in Mr. John Main's bush the other evening. Hoping you are well, Believe me, yours truly, Charles Smith." While on the subject of acclimatisation, the following extract, which we take from the Dunedin Guardian, will probably be read with interest :—" At the meeting of the Acclimatisation Society, held on Wednesday, it was resolved that the ensuing fishing season for the Water-of-Leith be the months of November, December, and January, and that from the Ist October to the loth April be the season for the following streams : —Kananui, Shaw River, Waitaki, Fulton's Creek, Waikouaiti, Silver Stream, Lee Stream, Puerua, Kaihihu, Waiwera, Kuriwao ; the -license fee to be £l. It was further resolved that application be made to the General Government for a portion of the eggs of j American lake fish, which are being forwarded to the Colony by Dr. Hector."
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Bibliographic details
Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 113, 31 August 1876, Page 2
Word Count
469ACCLIMATISATION. Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 113, 31 August 1876, Page 2
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