ACCLIMATISATION IN TASMANIA.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 337, 29 August 1868, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION IN TASMANIA.

The Hobart Town " Mercury" of a late date, says : —" As the progress of acclimatisation in British colonies is now occupying much of the attention of scientific men in the old world, it is appropriate that we should give a brief account of what is being at present done in Tasmania towards the same object. Our premier effort has, of course, been with the salmon and trout, and there every reason to believe that it will prove not to have been a vain one. Accounts of the successful hatching of the salmon ova have already been published by us, and since the fish migrated from the rivers sufficient indications of their presence have been observed by those entrusted with the management of the experiment, to satisfy them that salmon are realey present in Tasmanian waters, although. an individual has not'yet been captured The brown and sea trout are a known success. In the ponds at Redlands several hundreds of them are disporting themselves, and they have largely increased their numbers of late, the rills swarming with young fish. The river Plenty has been stocked with them, and already several very large breeding fish have been captured. Mrßamsbottominformeduson29thult. that no less than eight pairs of trout had been seen spawning in the river Plenty during tho last week, some of them being of particularly large size. Being desirous to have a pair taken for artificial breeding, Mr Ramsbottom caused the nets to be run over a pnir of spawning fish but did not succeed in catching the male. The femde was caught, and afterwards two males, one being of the astonishing weight of nine and a quarter pounds, andmeasuviug upwards of twenty-eight inches. These fish were afterwards returned to the river. In addition to the salmon and trout, we have abundance of English perch and tench, which are now fast multiplying in many of the rivera of Tasmania. The acclimatisation of other animals is now under the care of an Acclimatisation Society, which has been established, not only to " acclimatise British and Foreign game," but " as far as possible to prevent the extinction of native kinds." To aid and encourage the efforts of this society, Lady Franklin recently made a free gift of Betsy's Island now called Franklin Island in honor of the liberal donor. This island has been vested in trustees for the benefit of the public. The island comprises about 550 acres of good land, well covered with an undergrowth of scrub and berry bearing plants, which afford cover and food for game ; it is moderately timbered. Frankiln Island is situated in Storm Bay, four miles from the mouth of the Derwent, and about eighteen miles from Hobart Town, and is now in charge of a gamekeeper. It has been for many years overrun with the Chincilla rabbit, and the society have added hares, pheasants, and partridges. Quail are abundant on the island, but are indigenous to the colony. Besides the animals and birds on Frankly Island, the society has received from various sources the fallow deer, and numerous song birds, which have been liberated in various parts of the island, and are thriving well. A ram of the Angora breed has also been received and is in charge of the secretary, Mr Graves, at his estate of Caldew, awaiting the time when a mate of his own species can be obtained. The Government of the colony are exceedingly anxious to encourage the efforts of the Acclimatisation Society, and have recently granted a lease of Green Island, in D'Elltrecasteaux Channel, to the trustees, at a rental of one shilling per annum for fourteen years. The island is beiug planted with berry-bearing shrubs and plants, and sown with English gaasses, and will shortly be ready for the recepeion of game, for which there may be no accommodation at Franklin Island."