Acclimatisation Society.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4578, 24 February 1893, Page 2

Acclimatisation Society.

— — — <*■> A general meeting' of the Council of the. Canterbury Acclimatisation Sooiety was held yesterday afternoon at Warner's Hotel ; present— Messrs W. H. Spackman, Marciel, Ollivier. Searell, Baine, Hamer, Izard and Birch (Secretary). Mr Spackman was voted to the ohair, and apologised for the absence of the Hon J. T. Peacock and Mr Meddings through ill-health. The Seoretary stated that with respect to the pollution of* the Waimakariri river he had received bottles of the water and sent * them to Professor Bickerton for analysis, but had not yet received a report from the Professor. Mr Spackman thought that it was a most eeriouß matter, and might become worse. After some discussion, the matter was left over till the analysis was received, Mr Acton Adams wrote, offering assistance in the way of lodging, &c, for a man • to Btock a river with trout. It was resolved that there were no trout available. The Colonial Seoretary wrote, asking for information as tb time of opening the shooting season. Mr Ollivier moved—*'' That the dates and feeß be the same as last year." The motion was seconded by Mr Marciel. Mr Hamer suggested that as Good , Friday came immediately before the opening of tbe shooting season, the date should . be altered to Thursday or Friday. Larrikins wonld be about on Good Friday, and if they did not kill the game they would disturb it. He moved— " That the shooting season open on March 80." Mr Ollivier had very strong objection to any alteration of date. He thought that the date should be arbitrarily fixed by Act of Parliament. When the oate was constantly altered peoplp had some excuse for shooting the day before. Mr Hamer said that everybody was on the look-out for, the date, but he quite agreed there should be a fixed date. ' The Seoretary said that the alterations had caused considerable confusion. Mr Spackman thought it would be a fatal mistake to alter the date. Tbe amendment was loot, and the original motion carried. Mr Ollivier moved : " That any arrangement for detecting any infringement of the regulations be left in the hands of Mr Meddings and the Secretary, as last year.*" The motion was carried. Mr Spackman said thttt he had received letters from the Acclimatisation Societies of Otago ahd Southland with regard to the salmon ova Bhortly expected. >He suggested that these two Societies Bhould have the whole, and if successful the other rivers could be stocked from them. ; Mr Ollivier moved "That while we are prepared to hatch out any salmon ova sent hereby the Government, the Council thinks . it desirable and more likely to lead to the acclimatization of the salmon, that all the ova be sent to the Otago and Southland societies for hatching, find 'turned out into the Aparima river, and that the Government be requested to send all the ' ova to these two .Booietieß." The * motion waß seconded by Mr. Searell and carried. The Secretary sta ted that he had received application for starlings from the Bangitikei Society, and had replied that they could only be got through the birdcatchers. By request he had obtained twelve dozen and forwarded them to Messrs Levin and Couipany, who had advised their safe arrival. The Secretary's action was approved. The consideration of the Maori fishing cases waa held over till next meeting, the ranger having reported that there had been no further trouble. Mr Spackman thought that tbe Act of 1880 should be amended. It was impossible for the Customs authorities to say which were venomous reptiles, and whioh nonpoisonous. The Counoil should recommend the Government to prohibit the introduction of all descriptions cf reptiles. - Mr Eaine thought that all ballast coming from snake infested countries, should be shot into the sea. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Spackman, seconded by Mr Eaine--" That the solicitor be instructed to draft a clause to amend the Act of 1880, to exclude all reptiles, and also to prevent the deposit of ballast from vessels." Accounts were passed for payment. The Curator of the Museum of Auokland and the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society tbere wrote, offering rainbow trout. Mr Spackman moved that' some should be procured. Tfae motion was carried. Mr. Ollivier said that when travelling in the northern district, Mr Matson, the manager of the Craigieburn . estate, informed him that American white fish were thriving in Lake Pearson. The meeting then closed.