ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1744, 2 August 1867, Page 5

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The weekly meeting of the CouncU of the AcqUmatis.ation Society was held yesterday. Mr Murison, M.H.R., presided. The other members present were Messrs J. A. Ewen, W. BeU, F. D. Rich, J. W. ;Murdoch, and Gfi p.' Clifford (Manager). ' ;

Mr Clifford reported that he had received a pair of pheasants, which had; been purchased in Auckland fpr the Society. A number of EngUsh tench, presented by tlie Tasmaman Sbcjiety, had also arrived by the Daniel Watson, from Hobart Town, and he expected to receive them that afternoon. He had sent to Mr Murdoch, four pheasants, but Mr Murdoch reported that the cock pheasant had since died. The bittern which had been received had also died, its broken winghaving mortified. Authority had been received to bring water from the Water of Leith to the ponds in the Society's grounds, and to cross the Valley road with the pipes necessary for its conve3 ranee. ; '

The Chairman explained that the water wliich would: be obtained by the plan proposed would -be good streamwater, and, by its use, the Society, might be able to cany ou experiments in fishbreeding, as weU as employing it for other purposes.

Mr Bell submitted, for approval, specifications of the works necessary to convey the water to the ponds. They included the cutting of a drain 750 feet long, the laying of clay piping, and the formation of a box at the source of the drain, with a protecting hatch of manuka pUes.

.Mr Clifford suggested that a less expensive work would te found to ensure a,

regular supply of watez' from the LeifcSik, without much danger of accident. • It was agreed that the adoption oftTi© specifications should be postponed fo?' & week, and that, in the interval, fch©opinion of Mr Paterson, C.E., should be obtained.

v Mr Rich inquired; if the Society was desirous of procuring wood-hens. If they were wanted, he- thought no' difficulty would be experienced in procuring numbers of them. ■:.

Mr Ewen said they would be useful for exchange with Australia or other places, and the Society would be glad to have them. - -" .....-■

■:< The Chairman said they were particularly desirous of procuring Paradise ducks. There were many opportunities of disposing of them.

Mr Clifford suggested the wax-eye as a bird wliich they were also. desirous of procuring. ...... Mr Murdoch said these birds were, this season, very numerous, and could be seen in flocks among the tall flax;

THE INTRODUCTION OF BABBITS,

< Mr Clifford thought it was very desirable that the Society should offer headmoney for the; destruction of wild-cats as well as hawks. Although he had never seen any cats about the Society's grounds, he had caught or killed about two dozen by means of traps.

Mr Rich said that eats would, no doubt; be found to be great enemies to the young haves, as well as to birds, but a cat breeding establishment Avas' almost required to keep down the number of rabbits, which wore likely to become, throughout the country, «friuch worse than the thistle.

Mr.Ewen thought Mr Rich was mistaken in that opinion, but he should Uke to hear his reasons for it. As members of a Committee whose business it was to acclimatise animals of a useful description, they might consider it proper to encourage the introduction of the rabbit, as had been done elsetyhere; but if Mr Rich could give good reasons why they should not.be encouraged,'the Committee, was bound to give attention to his representations, and stop what might prove to be a nuisance.

Mr Rich referred to the experience of Mr, M'Donald, of Rangitoto, in Canter-. bury,;,who had an island of 900 acres, upon which, in consequence of the increase of rabbits, he could not keep a single sheep ; and the rabbits had since got to the. mam 'land', becoming a serious nuisance. In the Waitaki it, tvas the same, and the spread of the rabbits to the main land Avas looked uppn with the greatest, apprehension, .'. .. : 'fifi'

Mr Ewjgn-quite believed that in some situations, such as those referred to, they might become a nuisance, but, near centres of population, they would be an advantage, and would no doubt, become, to a considerable extent, an article of consumpt and commerce. In the instances mentioned by Mr Rich, they must have been aUowed to increase so as to. starve themselves out of their places of resort; as a rule they kept to one locality, if it were suitably selected, and they were kept down.' He thought what Mr Rich complained "of was simply a local evU, and would be of rare occurrence.

Mr Rich was so fully satisfied of the evil, that he was disposed to move that the AccUmatisation Society should not encourage them, and he was sure he Would be backed up by seven-tenths of the settler^. To such extent was the evil of theu- increase being felt that Dr. Webster had offered 4d a head for six thousand rabbits, and he believed Mr Graham -would .readily give LIOO to "prevent their entering upon his land. Mr Clifford referred to the case of Mr Austin, of Victoria,.who made a large profit outof rabbits acclimatised. ;

Mr Murdoch spoke of situations, in which farmers who had introduced them suffered greatly, by destruction to crops. ■The Chairman suggested that Mr Rich should bring forward a motion on the subject. If what he said was correct, the Society should take steps to discourage their introduction. Mr Rich was sure he would be borne out by all sheep farmers, and for the Society to give rabbits indiscriminately to all persons who applied for, them, would create a great evil. Mr Ewen believed that, indiscriminately given out, they would be a pest, but there were localities in which they might be judiciously introduced. The choice of the locality woulcl depend upon the facilities for preventing their excessive increase.

a\HE tench,

The Chairman referred to a conversation which he had had with Mr R. B. Martin as to the propriety of placing the tench received from Hobart Town in the upper reservoir of the Water Works. In the event of that locality not being suitable, or the Water Company not being agreeable, he suggested the lagoon at Waikouaiti as a very suitable place. . It was understood that some steps would be taken in connection with the matter, by the Secretary or Manager. The Chairman, in reference: to a suggestion by Mr Clifford as; to headmoney for the destruction of hawks and cats, said there were . a number of suggestions which might, with propriety, be i:drawn -/up, \in .the form, of a pamphlet, and distributed for i public information; ~r suggestions ;as ; to. the management of birds or animals, the planting of trees ; on streams, and the destruction of-.vermin. He thought it wopld be well if a committee were appointed to draw up such suggestions. Hs would himself, be willing to be on such a committee, but would be absent for a month:, or two. As one of the committee, he suggested Mr Mason. Mr Ewen, adopting; the suggestion,, moved—" That Mr Murison, Mr Carrick, and Mr Mason be appointed as a Committee to draw up a list of suggestions upoii the subjects of the acclimatisation of plants ancl animals, the destruction of vermin, &c., for : distribution among the settlers throughout the Province.'-' The motion was agreed to. Mr Murdoch said it was desirable that something should also be done to prevent the pollution of streams. It was a matter .which would require the interference of the Government, but it would undoubtedly come to be one of much importance.

PHEASANTS.

Mr Rich reported thafc, of the pheasants wluch he liad released some time ago, none had been seen dead, and many were now constantly seen, over six or seven mUes of country from Shag Point, and beyond his place. There were bush and

]] ;buisiy,atiorfiri-the neighborhood ?, Jin fact) i all the country along the sWbord, ffy bm Mr , Hepbtirn^s /to Shag River I tra*' tbe niost .favorable that 'coiild lhe s elected for the introduction/of: Enafib birds/ He strongly objected' to the Seek tygiying s"cb'large prices as they | had" paid! *or P-!ieasan^, and he offered to I gi^.fco'tiii ;^ ociety, for cost pricey tWenty: four plieasai^.? ?ft Xlf*ri front a friend in £<fc klan^ , He the Society would tk have Plants afc a third,of What-the^ ™ .paying, and he would procure,. :&. r lllmselV ; another SIIm/'Ewi3l? referred to the difficulty which the Society expei'k mcs ln Faring' ducks: or ; pheasants*. altlloUgb they were frequently promised',- +I^'? S. yf^ discouraging to the Socie%^ ™a? J™ at might be .. got for Ibem- with' fly 317 . .' Q trouble received such slight atten*. °?' Mr Rich thought any .number; ot. d^P*f or pheasants might be got if tho S'©t '^ty went tho right way to work, and that. v vas to call for tenders, and not. to trust; promises.: .'.;./.-.. ,1

THE INTRODUCTION OF SALMON.

The Chaikman referred to ah article winch had been quoted in ihe Daily Times from the Ilobart Town .Mercury, ou the subject of the introduction of salmon to Otago. Any,one,who read that. article, he thought, must see the great interest which the Hobart Town Society was taking in the proceedings of this Society. They must give that Society more credit than to think that that interest was caused alone by the resolution as to the sum 'of L 250 wliich thoy had passed ; they must give them credit for bebeving that they were now in a .position to. assist" rather than to receive assistance, from,; other Societies. He. was still .of opinion that the. Society,. if backed up by the public voice in tlieir r remori with the Provincial Government, as to the action they had taken, would yet in getting a portion of the £1000 vote to ; forward to the Tasmanian Govern-. ment. Since, the subjecfc• had been brought before tiie Society, he had read a great deal.in connection with it, and he was now thoroughly convinced tliat the experiment.' which, the Provincial Government were making:to ; bring the salmon, pya from Home would,, in all probability,' prove a failure at, the'oiitset. it was, all very well to say that; there' Was now such certainty as to the process of shipment that there must he success. He was inclined to disagree with that opinion. He was inclined to think that the success of the experiment was principally owing to Mr Ramsbottom, who had experimented for fifteen or twenty years, and who, along with others, had; at length succeeded in establishing both trout and salmon in Tasmania. Ho was very doubtful if they would find many men in England who would be able to do the same as he had done. If .the Provincial Government were still of "opinion that it was undesirable to assist them by a vote, he' was inclined to think it would be well: if the Society would, out of their own funds, vote a sum of Ll5O, by wliich they might get trout, from Tasmania, and, if they succeeded, they would be able to claim the L 250 promised by the Provincial Government. He mentioned this subject because he would be unable to take part in the deliberations ofthe Society for some time. Itwas a matter which would be often referred torin future years. The acclimatisation of trout and salmon were the most important items of all" their work. Tlie salmon was one of"''the; few fish which might be said to be remunerative. They' knew the opinion of the people of Tasmania, and they looked forward to-salmon not only being an article of food, but an article of commerce, especially if the. rivers of Victoria were not fc unci suitable for their increase. He hoped some notice ofthe subject would be taken by other members of the Society. It was by their discussions there that they might expect to sustain an interest in the subject, . and aid ih directing any steps which mightbe taken in connection with this important part of the work of acclimatisation. .In whatever they had suggested hitherto, their recommendations had been marked by calm deliberation.on the whole subject, and he believed they would have the approval not only of the public here, but in the other colonies, in regard to what they had done.

Mr Rich thought it was very unwise of the Provincial Government to take the st'ep'3 they did take.

The Chairman did 'hot altogether disapprove of sending Home ; but lie thought the money should be sent to Tasmania, so that, in the event of the experiment proving unsuccessful, they would have Tasmania to fall back upon ; and it would be very unfair to think -they could get ova without compensation.

Mr Ewen,said the Provincial Government had taken up the matter on fcheir own responsibility, but he clid not believe they had any wish, to thwart the Society. They no doubt thought thafc what they proposed was best; but the plan they had adopted was decidedly the most expensive, and the most hazardous. Notwithstanding all. tlie cave and skill .that.might be exercised in the preservation of the ova, there was only a. certain time during which vitality could:be preserved ; and,'if a vessel v/ere,bey ond that time on her passage, as was very likely .to be the/case,, all the. skill and 'tlie -.money would .go for nothing.-.. From, Tasmania, thoy could have the salmon.-.in- a; tenth part of the time. . Ifc was : nqt,; however, for them to find -fault with the Government.- The Government did not take the money from them; it was } for them simply fo do the: best they could with the funds they had. .

Mr Murdoch was sure that,, but for the expense which Tasmania had been at for ten years, and for tlie exertions pf Mr Janies Yule and others,.tlie matter would never have been carried out.

Mr Bell thought ifc was not creditable that this Province should not hivye. contributed to assist Tasmania, while all tlio other Provinces or Colonies Mid done so. It could never, under thc-circumstances, be expected fchat they would get: salmon or trout from Tasmania, ...

Mr Clifford believed that had the Government consulted fche Society, they would have a much greater chance of succeeding than they had now, .

The Chairman could not say whether they were in funds, bus ho made tho suggestion tliat lASQ should be sent fco Tasmania.

Mr Clifford said they liad I<s{K) to

from Goverment, and LSOO out at interest. , /Mr Ewiitf proposed, " That Ll5O, out of the B'ocie^'B' flings, be fOrwafddd, by the Society to the Salmon Commissioners, Tasmania:" •'" •'■;;" » ■■ J \B »..« ~' Mr Bell seconded the f motion, khdit was agreed to. ' " ' . . ! ' : '.A vote! of thanks was "pkssed td'Hlie Tasmanian Acclimatisation Society for, tho tench which they had presented to the, Society, and to' Capt. Anderson, of the brig Daniel Watson, for his courtesy and attention in bringing the tench from Hobart Town.

I . Mr Ewen said he had lately seen a [ gentleman from Victoria who was'recently in India, aiid he had named parties in. Ceylon who, for a small consideration, would supply partridges and silver-grey pheasants. They could also get hares, and from Calcutta ha believed they could get a useful bird, the jungle fowl, ancl the Scotch sparrow. Tliere were opportunities of bringing them, via Melbourne. - ~ Mr Murdoch said, the bronze-winged pigeori was a most useful bird to have/as' they were extensive .'consumers of thistle

let ecls-■■'■', .' . ."''■'"'"'■"''.; ■ *. \ It Clifford said they had already got Six,"\'vhich were breeding. .'Mt.-.Ewbn (Explained that, while the ffirggestk"lll h^d been made that, one of the Comn^tee, on going to Wellington, should see • Capt. Benson as to the conveyance of articles for. the, Society by the Panama Comi lanys; sfceaniers, such suggestion had not been made with any view r,of castingreflectLon on the Company's liberality; Thoy had! hitherto, nover charged anything,;and he believed the, charge i& tho last instance was mainly through .the' agency at Melbourne. The ag<mt did not see weU how he coiild pass th© packages .without an order, and, ,if;, on :the ship's papers,; he had to charge thiem, wMclihe did at: half-freight. They bad got all they asked,, but it w^s for Mr Murison how to make some., arrangement with, the agent.■ By that Company, as by aU the others/ ..they had been tratedpiostUberaUy. . , .After: passing some accounts,, the Cpup.^; cU was adjourned,, ,'.;." ; ./'/'.''