ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 577, 26 March 1870, Page 3

ACCLIMATIZATION SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the Council of this, society was held yesterday at the Literary Institute, the president, J.T. Peacock, Esq , being in the chair. The otlier members present were Messrs Wynn Williams, Duncan, Nottidge, Farr, Boys, Blakiston, Bird, Dr Haast, and the Curator. Mr Shand, who was in attendance by request, explained the result of his endeavours to bring the society under the notice of the farmers, more particularly at the Prebbleton harvest dinner. He also handed in a list of farmers who had promised subscriptions. He said ihe farmers were fully alive to the benefits to be derived from the introduction of useful birds, and that if properly applied to, a large amount might be collected from them. He recommended that application should be made through the surveyors to the respective Road Boards, and expressed his

readiness, to assist in canvassing for sub" scriptions in his own district. ' The chairman expressed the obligation of the society to Mr ShaVnd for his kind intention and advice. TheJ-'ecretary explained that he had not; yet answered the letter received from thei Government on the subject of silk-culture,; and in which practical suggestions were asked ; for as to the cultivation of tte mulberry tree and silkworm in the*"ColOny. Dr Haast preposed, andjit was resolved, that a committ c be appointe 1 to collect information and draw up a report ou the subject. , . . ; ' The Curator's report was read. Messrs J. S. White, J. Shand, and G. Bowron had become members of the Society, and some Chatham Island seeds had been received from Mr Jas. Mann. Quantities of seeds had been grown in the gardens, including sunflower, hemp, canary, Belgium millet, and sugar-beet, the latter of the best variety originally obtained from .the south of France. The recei ts during the - month had been — sale of pheasants, &a, £8 ls 6d ; subscriptions £16 4s 6d;. total, £24 6*.«±The pheasants reared in the gardens c now fit for sale and turning out. Six had been forwarded to the Otago Society, but the additional birds decided to be offered by way of exchange had not been sent, as from a reply received from Mr Clifford it appeared too late for such an arrangement. A pair of paradise ducks had been sent to Mr McQuade, of tbe Zealandia, and model cages furnished, suitable for bringing out goldfinches, blackbirds, and nightingales. A suggestion was made that all restrictions be . removed from the Curator importing birds, and that he be authorized to import English partridges and Californian quail, such birds to be sold at cost price amongst the members. _£ Mr Nottidge opposed the latter suggestion on principle, as placing too much power in the hands of the Curator. A long discussion ensue! on the following resolution, proposed by Mr Nottidge, " That it is inexpedient that the Society should continue to occupy the enclosures in the Domain under the present tenure." Mr Nottidge, in support of it said the fence was represented as being insecure, and likely to entail considerable expense in repairs. Objections -. were raised by the Domain Board against the Society making hay, and yet complaints were made of the grass seeds spreading over the ground. The animals, consisting of kangaroos and emus, could only be considered as objects of interest, and might also be banded over to the Government. The Curator stated the objection made as to the enclosures not being deer-proof, only referred to the two that were last erected, not to the old one, whi.-h was secure. The enclosures had cost the Society about £120. It was ultimately decided that a Committee should be appointed to wait on the Government to arrange as to the transfer and the acquisition of another piece of land more desirable. The report of the sub-committee as to the best means to be adopted for getting out birds was read ; rooks, goldfinches, starlings, and jackdaws were recommended as the only birds on which the funds of the Society should be at present expended. An elaborate report received from the Otago Society, containing valuable hints on the same subject, was also read, but both were deferred for further discussion at a special meeting, appointed for Friday next. The meeting then separated.