ACCLIMATISATION' SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3247, 3 July 1872, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION' SOCIETY.

~. _ . The annual meeting of this Society was heid on the 27th ult, in the City Council Chamber. Mr W. IX Muriwn preuiiled, and there were fil.no present —Captain Jioyd, sl'U»Rrs E. M'Olashan, M.H.K., W. Hepb:im, H. Tcwaiuy, J. T. Thornson, W. J. M. .Laraach, \V. M- llodgkins, li. Oliver. «;. Matthews, If. Dcnch, D. V \i"'"n .1 ileid and G. IC Turton, 1T i* <L '~*•.'-« ' lion. ftKjc. eu. > - A.SSVM. HfM'OIiT. The frJlowiii" is tlie annual report, which wat read 7iv Mr TurUjn :— i. -• f ♦; . ,» »i\ ».jiilfu *.f tlu« icut I L'lV.lt .1 tCI i :.''tlOll ,'J.t lite rerfUlW Ol UIC p.ISI. b\ . , „-.-,,, L«; tbe'^nl^ «« balance •».«* which shown that thi P>|y'. rcvenu, for the pa* year was £M 7Cs 10, «nd the exgendi year*, the «xpeud,ture ineurwc 1 dunng the past year Nr the mtr*li etum, oJ •^<-lf «« « comijarahwly trilling. Ihe Society a income, however, dwrmg ,nueh I<*» than many of the three prj^ug years: the subsidy ™M »g £ 2W whik Coum:)l Irwt y'ia^^UlO" l't^ <^f f c |S^ tho amount* received by tl,« f»^y from the aauie *>urco '"^'^W"^™^ yearn was WOO. \\ it ha dim "^ J^ thence at .tn dinpimal, .Vl^ j^""" 1 J^J nuabKr to arrange for a «lit .nienfc f Htock kni4o« m^cttvorouHbnls ad J g^. £ be louMd ).. (.reat Jintoin, aie a'^ ««c---cCHsfiilly aecln.iat,H W n theprovince ibcrc arc Hume binK .u«h « grojjc gaiiio, :'f- th?./; Iml u r ;\fiy ncclnnatwed in Otag ; but "«* «oa^ th, «xp e i,!.« j : <mu C eted wit! the bh prncnt of a number of t»K«e .^I" llt l V« exUSrionSTSS t'*"'^"^.^^^^ Bhown that although ".^^J^^Sj long voyai f , yet th,rcl.^««c« would that a smlh^nt number, to enHuro then sw c^ful iu.t-111 «i»L» A tion. r?*^i 'ti ie^orf a,ve L-iider the c.rci m« Un<>ts, t »^t()^ ™S;1 "SncUyt^lnli"would ti.uis.iaion» siiftny w v »»» lt br,»KaiKH l tccrt / m,« bsU^lr^ultH A largo Hum, it ™tt*\™? nl£&£l'£ n OX o( ponded ™i]te lnlrn]™\*f*l?"nXrZ o ..«ecd«. 'J h^H, <, ; ,,sHted almost critudy of the seeds of com, f«r ne proc'^ta.^h fopina. Ihw wthe Jc rdiyojr in vvh^ch tins .Society has dwtr I mtodl tliose seeds among Jte menibep, and they w. a^rce tliat the fundn of the Society ton M\r «>t well bo more b..|.efieially V"^*"^™* a supply of K«edH, the hocu,^^h,^ cc^^c cv harly fortunate ,n Hceur ng tho «Unc^ o^ MeBHiH Cross and Co o San tra ujoj, who ,„ every nißtanee fjf^ of the, seeds of Cal fornun trees which were obtained during the pa^t yexv ■-J™»nisigms. muneiita, en f™*™* »J'nPJJvinms. I-iinhertiana, 11 reyamj, fl«i scmbrimdeH, eontorta, U her cv .U, " »fc^»^ andJeffreya. (.upress us: a I awThe Society wju. presented a few months a«o by Mr William Thomson, of Dunediu, with a valuable lot of hccclh, which that gentleman had forwarded to him by his son From the garden of the Taj, Agra. The ■nam-1 coatoiued nixty-five kinds of trees, Bhrub.«, and flowers. Tli'- attention of the Council has been dirwted by tho CJenoral Government to the duration of the inlroduetion of salmon from (Jre-it Britiin The Hum of £SOO w;ib voted by the House of Representatives last session forthatpurpose, i.utastheamountwafideemed insiiHi«'iiTit to defray all the expenses con-nec-ted withaHhipmentof ova, the(!overnment o«innnini<!at<-d with the various Acclimatise tion .Societies, asking them whether they would be willing to make up the amount tomined for the proposed nhipment. In March last tho Jollowing telegram from the Colonhl Kerretary wan received by the Chairmm ■-" ll< "vote £500, salmon ova. (Jovrnmifnt about to Henri orders for ova, but n'ii»ir« £500 to be subsidised by Aculimalion Sucieti.'s in addition to vote. Southland ffuarantecH £.'WO ; ChriHtchiirch, £100; NelSon does not join. Will your .Society contribute b;dam-e? (Jommunications to you in liist inutanci! acei.lentally overlooked, "flo-vi-rnmeiit ha»e decided ns funds only enough for one trxiujrimeut to confine hatching to Southland ponds, .shipping to Port Chalmers by fast vesKel. Reasons for selecting M.-ikarewa p.mds were—lower temperature of sea water ; freedom from being rendered turbid by diggings ; favourable nature of estuary; and'number of suitable streams running info it. Reply in time for outgoing 'Frisco mail." This communication was considoml by a moetiiiL' of the Council, which was held on the "15th March, and the Chairman was instructed to inform the Colonial Secretary that the Council saw no reason why action should be taken for a few months, and that, conditional on the .Society, which could not contribute out of its ordinary income, getting the subsidy from the Provincial Council, it would be in a position to guarantee the amount. Had a definite answer to the Colonial Secretary's ti-legrani been required at the time it was received the Council would have had no course open but to have refused to contribute Now, however, that a subsidy of £200 has been voted for tho Society by the Provinciul Council, the Society is in a position to pay the amount asked, and it rests with the members, at the annual meeting, to say whether, under the circumstances, tho Societv will be justified in voting the sum of £100 towards defraying the cost of a shipmerit of salmon ova"from Groat Britain. As in all probability the Society's income for the current year will about equal that which wruj received during the past, tho Counfil ia of opinion that the expenditure for the year should be limited chiefly to two ol.iects* viz : — the distribution of trout, and the purchase of forest tree seeds. With recird to the first, the Council is hopeful that a number of youn- fish will be hatched out in the ponds at Palmerston during the prosent winter In the event of a sufficient supply of trout being obtained, the Council is Vtron»lv of opinion that steps should bo taken to stock the many suitable streams in the Olutha district with these fish An to the latter, the Council is convinced that a further expenditure in this direction will meet with the unanimous approval of the members. When it is renembered that a large portion of the Province is entirely devoid of timber, the Conncil considers that the Society's effort* in the kuihc of acclimatisation would bo incomplete in their nature did they not aim at the cultivation of forest trees upon a large scale. In all parts of the world countries are becoming nl ye to the necessity of preserving and pronStnlc fortste. It is^ known thafc the ' Sue of nations can be partly traced aS-.w.s.tfßis.'s ssSeSSssse

howorer, that the introduction and distribution throughout the Province of the seeds of valuable forest trees will tend to create an , O n»t the people a, tawte for forest cultuco; and it" will be 1»>- fostering this taste, that the end which the .Society has in view, will in time be attained. The Council lias rteeracd the present a suiUble time to present to the Society some of the results of its labours iv past years, With tbix view, inunuens resident in those dwtricta where stock have been hberated were communicated with, and their retAu* will be found em bodied in the folio wing report concerning the various bird* ami animal* wJiich the Swicty has endeavoured to acclimatise. ■ that district those birds arc gutting -vcr} , , «« t t,, _, \.r. fur tjc.<\ iimnerou*, and that " there will we lar too "«* cocks next year." This ££™*» »grne ft V^Zla^ ™£^ n V Rich writes :_" The MrKenna&and Capt. K u i| art on, on Goodwood EBtate, and at Bothy » . ,fc tho K «>Rli«li Plants are Imping to the woods, winch was my object In getting them, as the Chines/ or Auckland" pheaW prefers the open country. I consider the latter are I nun 4 OUS the coast from Shag Point to Cornish Mount~a distance of twelve mi | w _ oß they would be on the same area in Auckland, and I believe the cock birds advantage next shootthe djj|trict ffjJ . h i fmnfc B , iooti:rig . i n the neighbourhood D v , c \. lHy at tho nort u end of th )he Unt« are frequently seen, while, lately, a hen bird and brood were obgcrved near the Forbury. There are several pheasants having been met with near Green/.laud and on the Chain Hills, A member of the Society, resident at the Taicri, reports that "pheasantsare becoming » 1 tho thafc bound tljc hav b seen and heanl in the very centre of the Plain." Another gentleman writes that they "have now «o lately increased in numbers that a person can scarcely walk for a quarter of an 10,/ hills in the vicinity of Qutram without (lushing one or more ; and the crowing of the cockiTis heard by travelg „ Afc X h - )hea<jailtß were . } ni » of 18?0 thegc considered to have been sucy y acC l inia tised. Mr A. Jones re- £„ hcManU in this (H «trict are thriving exceeding well. From eighteen to 8 J bjnlg ])o Been J h jn fc f ic Btuliblo . ficldß a(ljoin . I . H Ungley's farm. A hen « n tl fifteen chickens (supposed to have been . yy BU mmer by the settlew in thu nci | lbourhoo( l." These latter must be chiefly the progeny of a lot of 17 Chinese y J cro , ibenitod afc (J<)al in Augtisfc, 18(59. Further south, at g , .^ lho p o|nahaka diatricfc( wvcral strong healthy birds. Partridges.- Iwo years and a half ago six brace of tliose birds were liberated at Ureon Island, and soven brace at Goodwood In the beginning of 18/1 the Society reocivod a fnrther s.iipment of partndges from Great Britain. Of these about twenty brace were turned out at Oreen Island; sixteen brace at Shag Valley; a like number at Inch Cliitha ; and twelve brace at Oamaru. lime has shown that the .Society acted wisely in resisting the claims made by various localities for small lots of those birds. Ihe lots turned out were of sufficient size to ensure every probability of success, and the result has fully justified the Society s expocbitions. In avcry district were partridges were sent to they have increased, ifrom Oamaru it v reported that they " appear to have thriven, several coveys having been seen this season, Two fine birds were picked up on the North Road, havuig in flying across struck, the telegraph wires,, and so killed themselves In Pleasant Valley coveys have frequently been flushed, and m the farms in the I/jwer Waihcmo Valley young birds have of late been seen. Mr Rich writes :— ■ 1 must congratulate your Society upon the very great succeaa that has attended its efforts to introduce the partridge into this part of the tho Province, and it shows the wisdom of turning out a large number of birds together, as was doi'e here. The following coveys have been flushed in this neighbournood freqnently of late, viz.:—On Mr Preston s property, 14 ; at Pukctapu, 7 ; on Mr Aymes, 10; and at Bushy Park, 11. I may mention that these coveys appear to remain upon the respective properties named, though l.frequently hear of others in the district, Within the laiit fortnight partndges have been seen at Moeraki. South of Dunedin, the partridges have spread from Green Island over the Cham Hills, and into the Taieri Plain. From the former locality, a member resident there writes that there has been a covey on Mr Howdens farm for some time. He states also that "on Mre Shand's paddock a covey of 15 birds was flushed last week ; and on the space bctwecn Mr Sidcy's and Green Islan I Church partridges have been frequently seen. Mr Bills visited this district a few months ago and reported, that while there he had raised several coveys. Some of the birds sent to Inch Clutha proved weakly after their hboration. Within a week after they were turned out four were discovered dead in tho fields, and when examined wore found to be tnreatly emaciated, and the probability, is that the mortality was not confined to those which were found. The surviving birds remained on the Island during last winter, but in the apring they betook themselves to the ridges in the neighbourhood, and for several months after tbey were neither seen nor hoard of. Three pairs, however, were subsequently found to have taken up their quarters at Hillend, and m due time these appeared with broods, numbering respectively 15. 14, and 7. These young birds have all fortunately arrived at maturity. Although no reports have been received respecting the remainder of the partridges which were on the Island, it is probable that some of them have bred in other parts of the Clutha district, California!! Quail.-Nine brace of these birds were liberated at Inch Uutha m 1808. A little more than a year ago 15 brace were sent to Pleasant Valley, and at the same time a similar number were turned out at Popotunoa. A. little later a lot consisting of from 2;> to 30 brace, was liberated in the neighbourhood of Qncenstown. At Inch Clntha the quail have increased rapidly Writing from that district, a .gentleman says :-" With regard to their increase, it has simp y been miraculous, for it is no exaggeration to say that any one taking a walk through any of the large bushes in this immediate neighbourhood might .at any si-?.- rs.-.a* fa ssasfißSSS

traversed- Such is the nature of the country where these quail are mow to be found in the Lake District. At Pojjotunoa Bosh as-many an forty have been seen! together. Hans.—Tn 1867, Mr J. A. Ewen brought over throe hares—a jack and two docs—from Victoria for the Society. Those were liberated in August of that year in the Waihola district, and since that thne their increase has been very rapid. In February, 1870, a doc hare was forwarded to Mr F. J). Hich, Bushy Park, who at that time had a jack in his possession. Subsequently a doe was pi-ocured* at Waihola, aud was aent to Mr Rich. That 'gentleman now reports that they "have increased to n marvelloiui extent." Several months ago steps were taken by the Society to obtain, hares from Waihola, for the purpose of acclimatising them in other parts of the Province. The attempt was so far success-: fnl that the Society wan enabled to send four, consisting of one male and three femalea, to the Clutha, and three, a male and two females, to Oarnaru. During the present year three hares were procured by Mr W. J. M. Laraach, from Victoria* and wese liberated by him on the Peninsula. The well known fecundity of those animals furnishes a sufficient gnarant c that er« long theywill spread over the country. Deer.—ln 1807 Mr Ewen secured seven head of axis deer in Victoria for the Society. These the Society placed under the care of Mr F. D. Rich, and they have remained on his property since that time. Writing about .this herd,' that gentleman says, " They have increased rapidly. At the end of the second year there were nineteen, but it would be difficult to make a correct estimate of their number now, as they are very wild, and make for cover as soon as seen." li* the same year four fallow deer were nenfc to Morven Hills ; two of these, a buck and doe, killed themselves by attempting to leap a fence. The other pair were turned out on the ranges, and it has been ascertained that they have bred. In 1869 the .Society obtained twelve head of fallow deer from Tasmania. These were sent to Mr J. M'Kellav, at Tapanui, and the herd is now mnch larger. A doe, sent out by Mr Ewen, was subsequently added to the herd. About sixteen months ago, seven head of red deer were sent to Morven Hills, and a short time after eight head were forwarded to Bushy Park. This small herd was reared on one <of the Earl of Dalhousic's estates in Scotland, and^ was obtained from that nobleman by Mr Ewen.. The does at Bushy Park are reported to be in fawn. Mr Rich gives it as his opinion that the red deer will bo found to be more suitable to the Otago climate than the Axis deer, although the latter will do very well on the coast country. The red deer to Morven Hills have betaken themselves at the ranges. Insectivorous Birds.—Those obtained from Great Britain include blackbirds, thrushes, starlings, skylarks, linnets, rcdpoles, goldfinches, chaffinches, greenfinches, yellowhammers, hedge-sparrows, mountain-spar-rows, twites, serle buntings, and reed sparrows. The greater number of these birds were liberated in the vicinity of Dunedin. Undoubtedly the most successful have been the starlings, chaffinches, hedge-sparrows, green and brown linnets; blackbirds and thrushes, however, are frequently seen near the city, and skylarks are to be met with at Green Island. The nests of chaffinches have also been observed in the same locality. At Oamani the starlings are reported " to have multiplied rapidly, they are often Been in Hocks of hundreds. The goldfinches are known to have bred, but appear to have dispersed, their appearance afc the Levels Station, Timaru, having been noticed," Near Palmerston ''the blackbirds have increased, and are doing well ", as also are the chaffinches." Writing from East Taieri, the Ilev. W. Will reports that " starlings abound ; there ia a sufficient number to stock all New Zealand. They have proved a most thorough success. A colony of them has taken possession this winter of the trees around the Manse, and chatter away most pleasantly in the evenings. The chaffinches have also done well ; they are now to be found in many parts of the plain. Yesterday I heard them in my garden. Blackbirds are in the Big Bush, but do not appear to be increasing. The thrushes, I fear, are a failure. The skylarks, I have been assured, were frequently heard last summer in the North Taieri." A gentleman residing on the west side of the Plain writes:—"My own bush swarms with starlings, and I have seen a flock of about fifty following my cows. Much larger flocks, however, I have observed in the neighbourhood of the East Taieri Bush. These birds must be of inestimable value to the farmer in picking up the numerous grubs which infest the pastures." Heports have lately been received showing that blackbirds, thrushes, and chaffinches are to be seen in some of the bushes in the northern part of the Province. The Council, however, would be glad if persons noticing any of the English birds which have been introduced, whether near Dunedin or in the country, would communicate the result of their observations to the Society.

Trout. — Upwards of 2000 brown trout have been distributed by the Society through various parts of the Province. In only one stream, however, has there been any attempt made to observe theae fish. In Shag River, the trout which were turned in therein 1867 and 1870 have bred, and <hey are now to be seen about four miles below whero they were liberated, and about seven miles above that spot. In Mr W. A. Young'fi mill-race the trout have attained a great size. Mr Young estimates tliat some of them will weigh from 4 to 6 lbs. There seems no reason to doubt that the trout in the other streams have not succeeded as well. A fish weighing 131b was found dead a few months ago in the Water of Leith. Trout turned out in the Oamaru Creek as fry, were seen within the last few monthas as \ Ib. fish, and in the Island Stream, where they were liberated a year bofore, os 21b. fish. 140 sea-trout were sent to Mr Young's ponds in the beginning of 1871. These were retained in the ponds for some time, but beingafterwards liberated in the millrace, it is supposed that they have visited the sea. The Council willgladly receive information regarding the trout from persons observing them in any of the streams where they have been liberated. Mr Young, Mr P. F. Stoddarfc, of Hampden, and other gentlemen, have done great service by their endeavour to destroy the shags, which are the greatest enemies to the trout. These birds are very numerous on the coast; but last year a party j was organised during the breeding season for \ the purpose of destroying those birds. __ A great many were killed, and an appreciable difference, it is said, has l»een made in their numbers. Mr Young Btates that about 600 or 700 have been destroyed, and he b in hopes that in a year or two more they will give no further trouble in that quarter. In August the shags will begin to breed on the rocks half a mile from Coal Point, and then the birds can be deatroyrd in a wholesale manner. Persons resident in the country, who are interested in the acclimatisation of trout, will contribute greatly towards the success of that object by destroying both, shags and kingfishers. A great service will al«o be rendered to the Society by persons destroying hawkes, especially m those districts where partridges and pheasants have been liberated. The Chairmak : Ido not think I can add much to the exhaustive report which haa just been read, because it deals fully with the labours of the Society during the past year, and also with what may be expected to be done in the future. T certainly think the Society would act wisely if it should adopt the recommendation in the report that during the current year the expenditure should be devoted to the distribution of trout and forest tree seeds. Past experience has convinced me that it is advisable that the Society should attend to two or three matters at a time, and endeavour to prosecute them to a successful issue. That, in fact, is the principle, as shown by the Report, upon which the Society has alwaya acted. There is one matter to which I should like to direct

attention, namely—the salmon question. The report now under consideration mentions that; a communication on the subject was received by the Society from the Colonial Secretary, and also shows that the Council of the Society was unable to reply at the time. Jt therefore will be for the meeting to decide whether the Society shall guarantee the sum of £100 towards defraying the cost of the shipment of salmon ova from Great Britain. My opinion is that, during the current year, the funds of the Society will not enable us to vote that aum. But even if wo should not do so, we shall not retard the progress of the experiment, because the Southland Society has already guaranteed the full amount required by the Government. The Legislature voted £500, ami the experiment was not to bo undertaken unless a further sum of £300 was guaranteed by the various Societies of the Middle Island- This sum was at once guaranteed by the Southland Society, and arrangements are now being made to obtain a shipment of ova, the Agent-General for the Colony, I)r Featheraton, having placed the matter in the hands of Messrs Francis Francis and Frank Buck land, who have previously superintended shipments to this Province. Another reason, 1 think, why we need not guarantee the Hinn of money mentioned is this : the Southland Society is in a position to guarantee the whole of it, Cor, it year or two ago, the Legislature, by enactment, set aside two thousand acre* of land in Southland for that .Society, upon the condition that the money realised from the sale of the land should be expended entirely upon the intro duction and propagation of fish. It is difficult to see ■now the Southland Society can avoid contributing a sum such as this, because, immediately after the land was sot aside, they sold it for £2000, and therefore £300 might be fairly regarded as a legitimate sum for them to expend. On the other hand, the Otago Society has never received anything of the kind from the General Assembly or Prorincial Council. It in true that, several years ago, several thousand acres in the northern part of the Province were reserved on our behalf; but the Ordinance which set the land aside as a reserve was afterwards repealed, and nothing hits been done since by the Provincial Council in that respect. I may add that since this report was prepared, I have received communications from various parts of the country regarding the different kinds of stock that have been liberated, and these communications confirm what i» stated in the report—namely, that the various birds and animals are progressing in a manner beyond expectation. I was informed yesterday, on good authority, that blackbirds and thrushes are very numerous in the neighbourhood of Dunedin, the Water of Leith, and Waikari. I was particularly glad to hear this ; there was a great deal of uncertainty at one time as to whether these birds had been successfully acclimatised. Regarding the reports to this effect from the Taieri district, I think that one of the lots of the first shipment by the Warrior Queen was liberated there, and a mistake was undoubtedly made in turning them out in such small lots. In respect to the second shipment, we acted differently, and the result has been altogether satisfactory. Mr Tkwhley moved, and Mr Thomson seconded, the adoption of the report and balance sheet.

Mr Turton said that before the motion was put to the meeting, he wished to state that the Society hud. been better supported by the public during the past twelve months than in any previous year. During the past year the Society had. received donations and subscriptions amounting to £207 15s, as against £159 Gs recoived during the preceding year. JLast year the Society recoived from the Provincial Government £200, instead of £500 received previously. Of the former amount he received, prior to the 31sfc March, only £80 5s (Jd, but a foot-note showed that he had since received £114 9s Od. At the present time, after the payment of all the Society's liabilities, except about £8, for advertising and other small items, the Society had a credit balance at the Bank of £145 12s.

Mr Launaoh endorsed the remarks of the Chairman, that, as the Southland Society had guaranteed the necessary sum for prociunng salmon ova, there was really no necessity for this Society to subscribe. Under the circumstances, it would be better that they should give their attention to other matters connectod with acclimatisation. , He moved a motion expressing the regret of the Society that the state of tho funds rendered it undesirable to contribute towards the importation of salmon ova, and proposing that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Colonial Secretary. The motion was seconded by Mr Oliver.

The Chairman, on rising to put tho motion to the meeting, explained that when the subject was brought before the Council of the Society, a few months ago, he stated that the only object which the Society could have in guaranteeing the sum mentioned, if it were in a position to do so, would be to prevent it being said hereafter that they interfered in any way with the experiment. As the amount, however, had been guaranteed, that could not now be alleged. He might also add, with regard w salmon ova, that Mr Ramsbotham, the great pisciculturist, in a letter which he recently addressed to a gentleman in Tasmania, stated that if the fish were net seen until a period of eleven years had elapsed after the time when they were first turned out, it would not be a matter for surprise. Of course nothing liko that time had elapsed since the experiment was first tried in the Colonies — the first attempt having been made in 1804 or 1865. Seeing therefore, that they had the assurance jof an authority so high as the gentleman he had mentioned, he did not think they had reasonable grounds for fearing that the experiment had not been a success ; and in addition to what Mr Ramabotham had stated, they.had the testimony of several gentlemen in Tasmania who wore also interested i«i the question, and who stated that on several occasions they had seen the fish. Another reason why th&y should not look upon the experiment as being unsuccessful was this : A proper attempt to capture the fish had not yet been made ; no nets had been laid to : catch them ; and indeed, tho river Derwent was so full of snags that, until they were removed it would be impossible to lay the nets in the same way and with that success which followed similar attempts at home. For these reasons, therefore, he thought that it would be prudent to wait a little longer before they came to a definite conclusion as to the success or non-success of the exDeriment, The motion was carried. OKFICE-BEARBBS. Mr W. D. Murison was re-elected chairman, and Mr J. T. Thomson vicechairman, for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen were elected as the Town Committee: —Captain Boyd, Messrs J. Reid, EL Tewsley, R. Oliver. W. J. BL Larnach, G. K. Turto% W. Maw, B.

M'Glauhan, G. Matthews. W. Hepburn, E. S. Cautrell, and P. C. Fulton- The following gentlemen were elected as the Country Committee :—The Rev. \V. Will, Messrs J. Fulton. A. Grigor, «T. W. Murdoch, F. D. Rich, J. F. Kitching, H. Bench, F. Roberta, J. Shaw, W. Sherman, W. A. Young, I*. F. Stoddart, W. Derritt, and A. Jones, Tokomairiro. Mr Turton, who has performed the duties of hon. Secretary and Treasurer to tho Society for several yearn, Btated that other business engagements would not admit of his again undertaking the duties, and it wan therefore resolved that tho question of the appointment of a Secretary and Treasurer should be postponed until the first meeting of the now Council. Mr M'Glasuan proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman and to the other office-bearers for their services during the past year. Those gentlemen who had heard the report read could not doubt that tho operations of the Society had been very successful. Tho only matter regarding acclimatisation about which there appeared to be any doubt was the salmon experiment; yet it was obvious, from what had been stated, that it also might yet prove to huve been, to some extent, a success. He had visited the ponds on several occasions, and had also seen the fish ; there was not a large ntimber, but they appeared to be healthy and strong. The motion was seconded by Mr Rkid and carried, and

The meeting then adjourned

SEALING IN THE WEST COAST

SOUNDS.

(Southlnnd Neim, June 10th. )

We are indebted to Mr Thco. Daniel, M.P.C., for the following particulars of Messrs Seymour, Brown, and Sauuders's scaling crvtifie in the fora and aft schooner Mary, of 8 tons, accompanied by the whaleboat Lily, the party comprising the owners named and-a crow of live men. Mr Daniel, in an accompanying note, says :—"Hearing that they had Been a large quantity of wreck along the beaches on the West Coast between Caswell and Thompaon Hounds, and also that they had they had picked up a lot of papers in the latter Sound, I considered it a duty to report the information, as it might give a clue to the fate of some missing vessels. The account I send is from the men themselves." As will be seen, it is in the shape of a rough " log." which w<) have thought it best to leave, with the exception of a few verbal alterations, iv the original form. " Feb. 19, 1872. — Left Port William, .Stewart's Island. Called in at Preservation Injct for the night, fhence to Chalky Inlet, and on to Luncheon (Jove, Dusky Bay. Kcmained here about a week, Bcaling among the isiands and at Five Fingers Point. Saw no signs of drift wreck on any of the beaches thus far. Leaving the Covo we went through Breaksea to Daggs Sound. Thence ran through Gaol Passage and up through Heirs Gatrs, passing out of ■Thompson Sound, where a few seals were killed. Called in at Nancy and Charles Sounds, also at Two Thumb Bay. Remained here about a week, and built a small dingy. On the 30th March sailed for George Sound, and anchored at Fish Rock. Next day went into Bligh Sound, and ran up to Amazon Cove. Went up the river that falls in here ; got a lot of eels and birds for provisions—very numerous if you know where to iind them. April 4th.—Started for Poison Bay. Remained there a week, through very bad weather. Finding it nearly impossible to get any further north, returned southward, calling at Bligh's on the I Ith April. On the 17th called in at LookingGlass Bay. Here for the first time we saw traces of wreck—gome pieces of kauri and red pine board, ami part of a boat on the rocks. Dined on young pup seal, roasted, and then went on to Two-Thumb Bay. Here wo found part of a wreck, also a lot of kauri boards and broken cases, strewed along the beach. These had been washed in since we called in on the way up On the 18th sailed for Charles Sound, aud remained there till the 20th. Thence the large boat with two hands ran for Thompson Sound, the Lily's crew pulling close along shore from Charles Sound, landing at several places between Caswell and Thompson Sounds., On the beach and rocks they found part of a vessel's bowsprit, also large quantities of ship's planking, an empty chest nearly whole, and a great quantity of broken cases and pieces of boats. After rejoining the Mary, on Sunday, 21st April, went with tho boat to a beach on the opposite side of the Sound, below Crayfish. .lust before landing on the beach, the sea being very smooth and clear, we discovered, in about two fathoms of water, lying on the bottom, a great mauy books, papers, &c Got the boat's boom, fasteaed a acai hook on to the end and fished up two bundles of papers on files, also a family Bible, a very old edition full of plates, much torn, and a pair of bead-worked carpet slippers. On landing we picked up a broken writing desk, with papers strewed about among the scrub and shingle, also a number of cheque-books, some bearing date Nov. 1871. Next day, going down the Sound, we saw a ship's cabin door jammed in among the rocks. On the 24th, ran down the Gaol Passage from Crayfish examining every nook and corner for castaways, Pausing Blanket Bay, it being very calm with heavy rain, towing the Mary, we heard a loud report, which we supposed to be that of a gun, in the direction of the other passage into the Gaol or Doubtful Harbour. We imagined at the time that some vessel must be at anchor there, and gome of lhe crew- were out shooting, and were much disappointed at not finding her at Gronose anchorage, for we hoped to get some provisions in exchange for seal-skins. It should be mentioned that where we met , with so much drift v.reck between Caswell ] and Thompson Sounds, we saw a number of doirson the beach, also some kakapos and wobdhens they haul killed, and which we gathered up for provisions; After leaving the Gaol, we .entered Dagga Sound, and remained till the I:6th May—blowing heavy gales from all points of the compass, with torrents of irain occasionally. Hero we worked all the rookeries. One day we took seventy fine young seals, six old ' clapmatches' (females), and two 'old. wigs (males). Saw no appearance of wreck on any of the beaches or rocka. May 16th. — Left Daggs, and ran in a heavy sea to Breaksea, aud from then to Ist June worked tho caves and rookeries at Dusky Bay, Goose Cove, and Five Fingers Point. Having taken near 500 sealskins, and the weather being so boisterous aa fco prevent landing at many of the caves, to say nothing of the provisions (flour and potatoes) being all done, leaving us to subsist wholly on seal, fish and birds, we determined to return home first fair wind. Started on 2nd June, with the wind N.N.E, the Lily in tow, when just after rounding the West Cape the wind changed in an instant to the S.W., with tremendous sea. Two men were kept constantly baling the Lily, which looked as if she would swamp every minute, until presently the tow-rope broke. The men managed to hoist their sail, and run her abreast of the Mary which shortened sail for the purpose. Made Preservation after dark, thankful for the escape of the open boat. On 3rd June left with both boats under canvas, ran to Mussel Beach ; on the 4th matte the Maori settlement at Wakapata, had a good feed, and arrived at Rivcrton at sundown." Some of the papers referred to above were enclosed for our inspection by Mr Daniel. They appear to be chiefly invoices of goods supplied to Mr H. Whitmore, aerated water manufacturer, Greymouth. How they came to be where they were found is at present, inexplicable— supposing them to have been washed away by the flood that occurred in the early part of the season, one would scarcely expect of their turning up some hundreds of miles down the coast The Greymouth papera will perhaps bo able to throw some light on the myste^A v ,