THE OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4723, 7 April 1877, Page 3

THE OTAGO ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday, the following members being present :— Mr A. Holmes (Vice-Preside at) in the chair, Messrs F, C. Fulton, W. J. M. Larnach, J. P. Maitlandj and A. C. Begg (Hon. Sec.) SEASON FOB KILLING GAME. The proclamation of the Governor of the 29th ult. respecting the killing of game was taken into consideration, when it was unanimously resolved:— " That this Society strongly protests against the terms of the proclamation of 29th March in which it is made lawful to 'hunt, shoot, take, or kill' any kind of imported game during the ensuing months of June and July, on the following grounds :—lst. Many of the kmem of game enumerated, viz., partridges quail, deer, and imported wild duck, have not yet been successfully spread over the various parts of Otago, and the Society's efforts are now being directed to their increase and distribution. _ It would therefore be completely to neutralise these efforts were their destruction allowed. 2nd Sjme of the game enumerated have not yet even been introduced namely, grouse, black game, ptarmigan, &c, and this Society is about to eadeavour to acclimatise some of these kinds of game. 3. The mode o£ killing any game should be strictly denned, and in any case limited to shooting, and in the case of hares to coursing. If this proclamation is not revoke J any person by paying a fee of 30s would be at liberty to exterminate all or any of the kinds of game enumerated in any way he might find most deadly. The Society would recommend that the present proclamation be revoked, and that a fresh proclamation be issued making it lawful to shoot pheasants only during tne months of May, June, and July, and to course hares during the same period."

EXTENSION OF SEASON FOR COUBSING HARES. The following memorial was read:—

To the Acclimatisation Society of Otago. we, the undersigned members of Coursing Clubs, and otherwise interested in coursing of hares, respectfully request the Acclimatisation Society of Otago to recommend the Governor to proclaim the season for coursin" hares open from Ist May to Ist September next in the Provincial District of Otago and Southland. We submit that the number of hares now to be found not only warrant the extended open season, but calls for such extension in order to prevent them unduly increasing in number, and ia order to have them scattered more generally over the country. (Signed by by 16 memorialists.)

The Society resolved—" That, inasmuch as the time for killing game is limited by the Act to the months of May, June, and July, and it would be desirable to extend the period for coursing hares this season, and as it might in iuture be desirable to rary the open season for killing other kinds of game, this Society would recommend that an Act be introduced at next session of the General Assembly, to provide that the Governor may proclaim any season an open one for killing game, on the recommendation of the various Acclimatisation Societies." TROUT FOR AUCKLAND. An application was received from the Auckland bociety for a supply of trout ova during the season. It was agreed to grant the application, provided the supply would permit of ifs being done. CALIFORNIAN SALMON AND WHITE PISH. A circular from l)r Hector was read with regard to the Californian salmon and white fish lately introduced. BLACK GAME. The Secretary was requested to try to obtain a shipment of black game from Scotland. GUN TAX. A resolution was passed strongly urging the necessity of imposing a gun tax of 20a. The meeting then adjourned. DUNEDTN FOOTBALL CLUB. The annual meeting of the above Ciub was held in the Shamrock Hotel last nioht. Mr Thomson was in the chair. The folfowing ie, the ANNUAL REPORT. The Committee of the Dunedin Football Club, in bringing down their report for the season of 1870, have to congratulate the Club on its success in the past season, notwithstand ing the opposition with which it was do«ged by those who have hitherto been considered as promoters of all athletic exercises here. The number of players, and the interest shown by both players and the public are signs that the game is still in favour and likely to increase in popularity each success've year.

A large number of scratch matches were played among the members of the Club and also matches with the Union and Oiimaru Clubs, m both of which the Dunedin Club were victors, defeating the former at their own rules which were strange to our Club, by one coal to nothing, and the latter by one goal and four touch-clowns to one foice-down. A match was also played with the High School, which was lost by one goal to nothing ; but, the Club mustering very strongly for the return match, their opponents considering it hopeless to contend, yielded the palm without playing With regard to the financial position of the Club, your Committee have to report that only 31 subscriptions were paid, and would remind those who overlooked this trifling matter that they_ are at liberty to add last year's to the ensuing season's subscription ■ they would recommend members to assist the Secretary as much _as possible by volunteering their subscription at an early date, instead of waiting until they are solicited for it. Notwithstanding that the expenses of last season were rather heavy, there is a small balance to the credit of the Club, as will be seen by the balance sheet.

Your Committee trust that the railway communication now available will lead to regular matches with the country districts. Owing to the Jarge number of gentlemen who have intimated their intention of joining the Club as active members, and to the spirit evinced by the other Clubs m this and contiguous Counties your Committee hope that the example set by Auckland and Christchurch will be followd here, and that a, powerful team will go north to do battle on behalf of this portion of the Colony, .ami with the material at command they confidently anticipate a victorious career for our representatives. Your Committee recommend the Club to adopt the Rugby Union rules, to place it on the same footing with Clubs in the rest of the Colony, where these rules are universally in

vocjue, and would suggest that unless members practise with regularity they should not be elected to play in matches of importance. I hey especially recommend members to become acquainted with the rules before playing, aud when on the ground to obey the captain under whom they are ranged, thus avoiding these unseemly disputes whicb. tend so much to mar the game cind destroy public interest in it. i «ur Committee have great pleasure in stating that satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Caledonian Society for the use of their ground for the ensuing season, and mist that, from its superior extent and the removal of the car.se of all disputes, those members who stood aloof last year will again take an active part in the game. The Society stated, when proposals for the use of their ground were first made, that they expected the roll of the Club to show about sixty members, whereas little more than the names of half this number could be submitted, only those being given of members who had paid their subscriptions. Still, to encourage the game as much as possible, they decided to grant the use of their ground in the hope of their action promoting an extended interest in the game, and strengthening the ranks of the Club, for which the thanks of the latter are } le: In _ conclusion, your Committee trust their anticipations for the ensuing season may be more than fully realized, and that the support given them will be accorded to their successors. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The meeting then proceeded to elect offijera with the following result. President, Mr John Cargill ; Vice-President, Mr J, P. Maitland ; Secretary and Treasurer Mr A. Cargill; Captain, Mr Thomson ; De-puty-Captain, Mr Dixon; Committee, Messrs F. Fulton, William Cargill, F. Smith, William Mills, and H. Maitland. ADOPTION OF RULES. It was unanimously resolved that the Rugby Union rules should be adopted during the ensuing session. After some. further business of a routine nature had been discussed, the meeting adjourned.