ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10263, 22 January 1895, Page 8

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Tho monthly meeting of tho council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon. Mr A. C. Begg, in the absence of the ohairman (Mr J. P. filaitland), presided, and there were also present: Messrs It. Chinholm, A. M. Loasby, Thomas Brown, A. C. Stronach, R. Campbell, It. Forest, U. P. Clifford, and I). Rusioll (secretary). THE MANAOKII's RKPOKT. The Manager'n report for the month of January was a.o follows :

With the exception of two or three small lots the fry have all been distributed. I Had there will 1) B a fewthousand Scotch burn and LochLeven trout to Bpare, which I would recommend should be placed in pome of those streams whore the majority of anglern fi3h. I would also recommend that the ealinon (about 8000) be liberated in some of tho southern streams where future liberations are likely to be made ihe Rainbow trout are crowing splendidly. There should be about 2000 of them. This being too many to keep for a stock, I would recommend that, cay, at least 1000 be liberated in some suitable stream. 1 also notice that their habits are entirely different from the other species of trout. Instead of necking cover at the approach of danger, they swim about near the surface of the water similar to whitebait.

The weather bavins been exceedingly dry here, the rivers are all low and clear, so that little orno aughtij; is being done. The weight of eels caught in the Waiwera from Mr M daw's up to tho gorge is 2701b, Mr James Murray having cauglit 1301b of this. I deeply regret to inform you that I have lost my partner in life. She died on the 9tU January, after a short but severe illnesß.

I Tho report was adopted. I CHAMOIS AND KED DKIJB. Me (3eo. M. Thomson wrote:—" I have been making inquiries again iv the old country in regard to the possibility of introducing the chamois into these inlands, but the results ate cot eneouragiug. As I had urged tbw matter on your society I think it only right to communicate the resnlt of these inquiries. A: E. Jamraeh, the well-known London dealer, to whom I wrote, informs me he c&n get a few tame ones, about 18 months old, at £50 per pair. At the same time he atates that at low altitudes, and especially in hot weather, it is most difficult to keep these animals alive, and he is almost sure that they would die on the voyage out to New Zealand. Altogether his report is quite adverse. Under the circumstances I am reluctantly compelled to admit that tho game is not worth the candle. Fortunately the rod deer, which is really a finer animal, thrives so well here that it would be better to devote colonial attention to spreading them extensively over the western mountains, where in time they would increase to an immense extent on country which is perfectly useless for sheep, or any other kind of domesticated stock. Has the society ever turned its attention to the capercailzie ? This would be a magnificent bird to introduce into the birch forests of the western side of this island, and indeed to any wooded part of the country." The Chairman observed that the introduction of the chamois was evidently not practicable. Tha spreading of red deer was desirable. There was a great deal of country in the west only fitted for deer. He might mention that in some parts of the interior goats were increasing to a great extent. Their presence was especially noticeable about Cromwell, and they had proved a great nuisance there. A battue was made there svery year at some stations, and by that means numbers were killed. In regard to the capercailzie, that class of birds was nearly extinct in Scotland some years ago, but they had since been reintroduced.

The letter was received. ISESOLVTION OF SYMPATHY/. A resolution was passed sympathising with the manager (Mr F. Deans) in his bereavement through, the death of his wife. SHAGS FOR THE "ZOO." Mr Sclater, secretary to tho Zoological Sociey of London, wrote stating that the shags despatched by tae Otago socioty by the Fifeshire in September last had died on the way, and trusted therefore th&t a second experiment would be made. Mr Chishoi,m observed that the birds appeared to be young, and it was anticipated tbat the experiment would prove a failure. He moved that the council take immediate steps to secure more shegs for the London society.— The motion was agreed to. MPOBTATION OF BED DEEB. Mr A. A. B!ack\7ood, of Melbourne, wrote that the delay that occurred ia hia fulfilling his promise to secure for the society some red j deer had occurred through the difficulty that existed in capturing the animals withont the very great risk of killing many in the attempt. He, however, had given up the idea of catching old beasts, and instead was getting calves, as at present they were easily run down and in confinement were likely to prove more tractable. So far they had got three, bat it was hoped to increase the number up to six. In addition he would also get at least one older stag and perhaps several calves from the Hnnt Club. Ho had also been promised several more calves from another gentleman, snd Mr James Mills had informed him that space could be had in any steamer. The Chaihman : I think we are very much indebted to Mr Blackwood for the trouble he has gone to on behalf of the society. It was resolved to thank Mr Blackwood for his action in the matter. POACHING. The Chairman remarked that there had been ft good deal of poaching going on during ths last month or so. Ons case in particular was where it was alleged some persons had placed deleterious matter in a stream ; while another case was where net fishing was supposed to be going on. The executive had taken upon themselves to send Detective Bain to inquire into these matters, End his reports would be resd. The reports of Mr Bain were read. In regard to the net fishing, he stated that he was unable to directly connect any persons with the offence; while in respect of the other case, his inquiries did not bear out the allegation that deleterious matter was thrown into the stream. DISCHARGE OF TAILINGS INTO ST3EAMS. A letter was read from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society asking the Otago Society's co-operation iv protesting to the Government against the diacharge of tailings into running streams. Tha wide adoption of tha cyanide process rendered the tailings highly injurious. The request was acceded to.