ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 159, 14 November 1868, Page 2

ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

«? The adjourned meeting of the council of', the Acclimatization Society vras held at the i Literary Institute, at 3 o'clock, yesterday ) afternoon. Present — Messrs C. C. Bow«n , (in the chair), Dr Haast, Dr Barker, J. T. ' Peacock, W Williams, W. D Carruthers, H. , B. Johnstone, R. Johnson (curator), W. R. ■ Pereday, T. Nottidge, C. R. Blakiston, and lianiner. Mr Nottidge officiated as hon. secretary i* the room of Mr Llewellyn Powell, resigned. The first business of the meeting was to consider the report of the sub-committee appointed to draw up suggestions with reference to the disposal of the young trout. The first recommendation was that 100 liak should be kept in the ponds in the society* grounds. Mr Wynn Williams said he was inclined to think that more fish should be kept in the ponds. Mr Hanmer inquired what number of fish were hatched. j The Chairman said that in drawing up ( their recommendations, the committee es- j timated that there were 400 fish. i Mr Nottidge said that Mr Boys was of the 1 opinion that there were fewer than 400. ! Mr Williams said that in order to make certain of the success of the experiment, not less than 150 fish should be retained in the ponds, and he begged leave to more &■ amendment to this effect. Dr Barker seconded the amendment, which was put and lost; the recommendation of the committee was agreed to. The hairman said that the next recommendation of the committee was that 26 brace should be turned into the Avon between Wood's Mill and the bridge. Mr Fereday considered that the best locality was to be found above the mill. Mr Williams said he was opposed to the turning out. If ducks came upon the young fish, they would make short work of them. The recommendation for turning out 25 brace between Wood's Mill and the bridge . was agreed to. The Chairman said the next recommendation was that 20 brace should be turned out in the Ham stream, which had never been flooded. Dr Haast moved, as an amendment, that 25 brace should be turned out in the upp«r waters of the Avon. The amendment was agreed to. Mr Peacock said he had a conversation with Mr Stoddart shortly after the appointment of the committee to make suggestions for the disposal of the young fish. He men- j

tioned his creek to Mr Stoddart as a suitable place for turning out some of the trout, and he remarked that it was the first place in the province that he would think of for the purpose. He (Mr Peacock) had prepared it for the reception of some fish of his own, but had not yet put any in the stream, into which there was always a good flow of artesian ■water. He would take every care of the fish, and the Society could take them away at any time they thought proper. It was resolved that 10 brace should be put into Mr Peacock's creek, if, on inspection, it was found to be a proper place for breeding purposes. The ( hairman said the next recommendation was that 15 brace should be turned into the( harterisßay, and 15 brace into thePurau streams. Mr Stoddart had promised to take every care of them. The recommendation was approved of. The next recommendation to turn out 20 brace in the Porarakanui, River Styx, was withdrawn. It was decided that 20 brace should be turned out at the head of the Heathcote. It was also decided that 15 brace should be handed over to Mr Oakden, and also that 20 brace should be turned out in the Irwell stream, near the Selwyn Railway Station. This made 390 in all. The Chairman desired to know how long the Curator could keep the fish with advantage. Mr Johnson said he would recommend some of the fish to be turned into the ponds as soon as possible. There was hardly space enough for so many fish as were now in the boxes. He would recommend the turning out of 50 without delay. The Chairman : Supposing we turned out 100 fish, how long could you do justice to the otherß. Mr Johnson said that in this case he could keep the fish in the boxes for a month or so. The name of Mr Wynn Williams was added to the old sub-committee, to superintend the turning out of the young fish, in accordance with the foregoing recommendations. The Chairman called attention to the new Acclimatization Act. He suggested that it would be well to liave the Society registered at once. It was resolved that the Society should be registered under the new Act, in accordance with the Chairman's suggestion. Mr Fereday called attention to the Salmon and Trout Act, 1867. Mr Wynn Williams was requested to call the attention of the Provincial Government to the subject. It was resolved that the pheasant eggs should be sold at one guinea a dozen or 2s 6d each. On the motion of Mr Hanmer, seconded by Mr Peacock, Mr Nottidge was appointed Secretary. The Secretary read a letter from the Avon Road Board, acknowledging receipt of a letter from the Acclimatization Society, soliciting a contribution for the introduction of insectivorous birds, and replying that the Board could not devote any of their funds as requested. Some other routine business was transacted, and the Council adjourned.