The Otago Witness. DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, SEPT. 12.

Otago Witness, Issue 1189, 12 September 1874, Page 13

The Otago Witness. DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, SEPT. 12.

The annual report of the Acclimatisation Society will be read with considerable interest by most of our country subscribers. Unlike many of our other Colonial Institutions, the success of this Society has not been in any ways owing to its being forced very promin- i ently upon public attention. On the contrary, we should be inclined to say that it has been almost too modest in its essays. Considering the importance of the work undertaken by it, we cannot think that something under the sum of .£3OO was at all a sufficient contribution from the public. No country in the world, we believe, affords a more admirable field for acclimatisation than this ; to introduce birds, beasts, and fishes, into Otago was something like writing upon the blank page of a child's mind. If we may commit a Hibernicism, we would say fiat Otago presented too great advantages to those who would experiment in beast culture. In the first place, there were no animals here at all, and in the next place there were no noxious animals. But one doubt could have arisen in the minds of those who undertook the onerous task of peopling Otago with animal life ; this doubt was expressed very freely when the work was commenced, and only experience has shown its absurdity. Was there sufficient natural food to support the brute creation which it was proposed to bring in ? "Would there not have been found here a sufficiency of animal life if such food had existed? As regai'ds deer, hares, and trout, partridge, and pheasant — the introduction of which we regard as amongst the most brilliant achievements of the Society — we are now fully persuaded that there was plenty of natural food. The trout, especially, seem to do better here, in some respect s, than in any of those places which used to be regarded as their most favoured haunts, It is true that some little doubt is still expressed by those who ought to know, whether they "will afford the same sport to fly fisher 3 that they do at home, for instance. It is suggested that, though they grow to an enormous size here, nothing will ever induce them to rise to an artificial fly. We cannot but think that this is running into the opposite extreme : instead of having too little food, as was feared, they have really too much. As time goes on, and their numbers increase, we have very little doubt but that this will be all altered. We are not without experience of the same kind to judge from, in the struggle for existence which takes place sometimes iv the human family Just as the cadets of some large family in a crowded city at home will rise at any bait, however artificial, which promises them a competence, so, we fancy, the offspring of some old parent fish will find their stores of caddis and worms too small for their appetites, and be glad to take anything. As regards the hares, all accounts agree in declaring that their increase is something quite amazing. Here, too, however, some faint-hearted sportsmen are inclined to fear that the wire fences And \x>%%J creeks will effectually spoil

sport, and hinder us from enjoying a good day's coursing. We are so far agreed, indeed, in this, as that we do not think that the fine-bred English greyhound -will do much, good here j but a cross of his Scotch brother will, we fancy, supply the bone and stamina suited for the difficulties of the country. The deer keep out of the way, and are never at any time likely to afford sport for the million. We are only thankful that we hear but little grumbling over spoilt crops and broken fences. In the suggestion made by the retiring- Council of the Association — viz., that much care should be given now to supplying the lakes with fish — we cordially agree. Perhaps in no way could they perform a more useful work than adding- one more attraction to tourists, and giving residents in the Lake neighbourhood the opportunity of enjoying a day's fishing. Possibly it may be necessary to introduce vegetable food for the new comers, but we have considerable doubts whether even now this will be found de rujeur. Probably it will be found on experience that there is plenty for the fish to eat if only they are pub in the water ; it would be but wise, however, to make the experiment upon a small lake first, before entering upon the work of stocking u|>on a large scal<\ A small sheet of water might readily he found to test the matter — in all respects of a similar character with Wanaka and Wakatip. It is quite clear that the work of the Association must be more liberally supported. Now that so much cau be shown as done, now that in every district pheasants, quail, and partridge are to be seen, the Society may, with a very good grace, ask for further assistance to enable them to extend their opei'ations. We commend the report —which we publish elsewhere — to our readers. Every one ia interested in furthering the work, which is really one of almost national importance. In many indirect ways which will at once suggest themselves, it will profit us to make birds, beasts, and fishes of all kinds take up their abocta among us. Sport presents an agree able change to the monotony of country life — is an immense attraction to those who have made money, and desiro to enjoy it — and above all things provides a healthy outlet to the superfluous energies of our young men.