SOUTHLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Western Star, Issue 949, 20 May 1885, Page 2

SOUTHLAND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Efforts have recently been made to render this Society more popular with a view to its Hsef ulness being extended. Its operations have been greatly restricted by the small support accorded its schemes. A general meeting of members was held in the Prince of "Wales Hotel on Saturday last, when was an attendance of about 40 gentlemen, ,tho President, Mr J". C. El'ls, presiding. The particulars of the business 'transacted is gathered from our Invercargill contemporaries. The Secretary (Mr E. Tanner) stated that when he took office five years ago, Dunedin was the only place from whence trout could be obtained. In' 1880 he sot 6000 from that Society, and in 1881 1705 were received from Queenstown. These were distributed in tbe Otamete, Waimatukn, Five Eivers, Hedgehope, Dipton, Merrivale, Nightcaps, and a few other streams. In ISB2 there was no distribution, owing to the death of Mr Wortbington, and the consequent failure of the Lake supply. In 1883, 17,000 trout were obtained and placed in the Waihopai, Titipua, Avondale, Waikiwi. Oepulti, Fairfax, Hamilton Burn,,and Winton streams. Last year (18S4), 30,000 were distributed amongst the Waihopa. Roslyn, Hamilton Burn, Edendale, Quoich, Winton, KokonUi, Otautau, Makarewa, Wairio, Morley, Blackmount, and Waimatukn streams. He might mention that in 1884 ' the Government obtained, through the exertions of Dr Menzies, a present of a number of trout and salmon from Sir James Mainland, of Howietown Fishery. About 1200 of the trout were placed in the Wyndham stream, and, as they were thought to be bp<i trout, the remainder was placed in the Pive Rivers, as being the most suitable locality for that species. They, howeve 1 ', proved to be Loch Leven trout, a kind little, if at all, superior to the ones they already had., The ova did not turn out good, and the 250 that survived were placed in the Otautnu stream. Regarding the operations of the future, the Secretary suggested that more attention should now be given to stocking the streams in the vicinity of Invercargill../ He thought it would also be advisable to to have a breeding establishment of their own instead of having to send : elsewhere for their stock of trout. The Treasurer (Mr Thomas Perkins) read a report, showing that the Society began the year with a credit balance of £sl lis, and that now they had the sum of £lOl lis to their credit in the bank. They, however, owed a sum of about £35 to the Queenstown Society for trout fry, and small accounts amounting to about £5, so that they had, a clear balance in their favor of over £6O. Their assets consisted of over 50 acres of land at "Waikiwi, leased at £3O per year; a reserve at the New River of 45 acres ; and a quarter-acre section in town, given to the Society by Dr Menzies. —The election of office-bearers resuited:" si's follows :—President, Mr .T. vice-president, Messrs .1. P. Collins and H. S. Valentine; hon. treasurer, Mr W. Young; hon. secretary, Mr Blacke; Committee: —Messrs Moffett, Burwell, W. Russell," H. Feldwick, J. Turnbull, C. Basstian, senr., J. O. McArdell, R; Cleave, H. Carswell, T. Surman, E. Tanner, D. McGregor, J. A. Mitchell, J. T. Martin, K. Mclvor, T. C. Ellis, T. Perkins, and T. Fleming. At a Committee meeting subsequently held, the offer of Mr Valentine of grounds for hatching at the Otamete, near Mandeville, was accepted, and it was deeided to proceed with the work of constructing boxes, etc. Mr A. N. Campbell was appointed Curator and Ranger, and the proceedings termi nated