ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 128, 28 October 1874, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the council of the Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday afternoon at the Public Library. Present—Messrs H. B. Johnstone (in the .chair), Wallace, J. S. Williams, Hon J. T. Peacock, Sir Cracroft Wilson, and Dr Campbell. A letter was read from Mr Thomas, of Lyttelton, offering to sell the society six pairs of magpies, at 10s per pair. The offer was declined. A letter was read from the Curator of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, thanking the society for the printed copies of reports forwarded to him. A letter was read from Mr A. 0. Ottywell, the society's agent in London, acknowledging receipt of first portion of the draft for £3OO, and stating his willingness to continue to act as treasurer for the society in accordance with the desire expressed in the secretary's letter, and in the letter of Sir Cracroft Wilson. The secretary was instructed to acknowledge, receipt of the letter, and to express the gratification of the society at Mr Ottywell having withdrawn his resignation. The curator reported receipts (for the month to be £9 14s 9d, estimated expenses for November, £l6. The boundaries of the society's land were still in an unsatisfactory state, as no memo, appeared in the minutebook of the pociety with reference to the meeting of the board and council, held some months ago to settle this question. The Government gardener had recently employed a number of men to destroy all the native tussock grass (the most valuable cover for imported birds, hares, &c), with a view to preventing danger of fire. An important food supply for the trout had been cut off by the destruction of the native fish in the brook, and attempts had been made to supply the deficiency by obtaining the spawn of flounders, for hatching out in the garden. The floating cage for the salmon waß nearly completed, and had been constructed under Dr Campbell's instructions. A [case of Tasmanian shrubs and three large tree ferns had been received from Archdeacon Daviea, of Hobar Town, and had been planted on one of the islands in the society's grounds. The Government gardener had stated to him (the curator) that he had received instructions to clean all the plantations, which he con' eidered included the trees on the society's land, The chairman again referred to the action of the Domain Board in employing ] men to remove the tussocks in the park, thus destroying the breeding ground of the pheasants and hares. He had personally observed that a number of men had also been lately employed in destroying the tussock grass in the grounds occupied by the society. The Hon J. T. Peacock moved—" That the secretary be instructed to write to the chairman of the Domain Board, protesting against the action of that Board in destroying the tussock grass on the land in the occupation of the society." Dr Campbell seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. Sir Cracroft Wilson moved—" That the curator be instructed to request the Government gardener to abstain from trespassing upon the grounds of the Acclimatisation Society until the result of the protest this day ordered to be made to the Domain Board is known, and that he warn off the men now employed under the Government gardener in clearing the grounds of the society." The resolution was seconded by Mr J. S. Williams, and unanimously agreed to.

Mr Fair moved—" That in addition to the previous resolutions, Sir Cracroft Wilson and the Hon J. T. Peacock form a deputation to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent to represent the destruction of tussock grass on the land in the occupation of the society." Mr Wallace seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

The estimated expenditure of £l6 for the month of November was passed. The meeting then adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday next, at the Madras street Bridge, for the purpose of inspecting the salmon floating cage.