ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 861, 28 March 1877, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the council of the above society was held yesterday at the Gardens. Present—Hon J, T. Peacock (chairman), Messrs Wallace, and B'arr (hon sec), The Secretary said that since the last meeting of the council a special one had been held, at which the following resolution had been carried, and the resignations tendered : Proposed by Mr J. R. Hill, seconded by Mr Boys “ The Council of the Acclimatisation Society feels that it has been treated with great discourtesy, and placed in a very humiliating position in the eyes of the public by the Government in the matter of the opening of the shooting season, inasmuch as the society for years past has always practically dealt with the question, and the adoption by the Government of the recommendations concerning it has always been a matter of form. In this particular case great trouble was taken to ascertain the views of sporting and other observant men before the decision altering the date was arrived at, and the evidence of several important rangers and others strengthened the Council in its conviction that this being a specially late season, and there being, in consequence, large numbers of ducks that will ~be too young to shift for themselves, and thereby too young to shoot, the alteration for this year became desirable. The Council (composed of men who have given a great deal of attention to the matter) feels that the great bulk of those who are opposed to the change are men who are not disposed to promote the preservation of game, and the members think they had a reasonable right to expect that the Government would in this matter have seconded their efforts in the direction of saving the game from being slaughtered at too early a period.

“ The Council thinks that a recognised body such as it is, should have been consulted before the Government decided to disallow its recommendation, and it cannot help feeling that it ha a been subjected to special discourtesy, in that the opinions of a few people who have not given the matter the same consideration as the Society has, have been accepted without an opportunity having been given to the Council to reconsider its recommendation. As far as the alteration tending to invite breaches of the law, the Society had arranged to make the matter so public through the rangers, innkeepers, and through circulars and advertisements, that it had reason to believe there were no fears on that head. The Council feels therefore and deeply regrets that the Government, without consultingitjbut ignoringthe functions which by prescriptive right attach to its position, has adopted the suggestions of a few outsiders and disallowed its recommendations.” “ Ju consequence of the recommendations of the society regarding the opening day of the shooting season not being carried out, we hereby beg to resign our seats on the Coun G il. —c. Nbdwill, L. L. Powell, Philip HANMER.— March 16, 1877.” “ I hereby resign my appointment as ranger.—C. NedWILL —March 16, 1877.” ihe Chairman said that with reference to the paragraph which the secretary had read with respect to the location of the English salmon (170), Mr Farr and himself had been to the Aehlej river and Saltwater Creek, and bad made a careful examination, and had come to the conclusion that there was a sufficient supply of water in the north branch of the Ashley below the bridge, and which was supplied much in the same way as that of the north branch of the Waimaksriri, the only difference being that in tin case of the Ashley the stream was a little tribulet, and admirably adapted to the pur poses required. A man who had lived pixteec years in the neighbourhood had said

it was never dry nor flooded, and it was welt defended with rushes and ores? along the uanks. The stream was about 500 yards 'oag and two chains wide. The water was perfectly fresh and safe from the rising of the t.de. Ho (the speaker) thought the stream was as nice a one as they need have. ut.fi he could thoroughly recommend it. Mr Farr agreed with what had fallen from the previous speaker. He thought that arrangements should be made with the agent in Kaiapoi for the safe conveyance of the fish. They could be very well taken by waggon from Kaiapoi to the stream selected. He thought they should take about twenty tins of fish, and procure a supply of fresh water at one or two places on the way. The distance would be about ten miles, and they could drive out in an hour easily. Mr Boys said that many accidents happened to fish that were being conveyed by waggon, and he thought a very good plan to yrevent accidents occurring would be to suspend the cans in the waggons, which would also prevent the fish getting sickly. A letter from Messrs Wilson, Sawtell and Co, having reference to charges, freightage, and conveyance of fish by the Zealandia, was read and considered. Also one from Mr 0 Firth, president of the. Auckland Acclimatisation Society, calling the attention of the Christchu eh Acclimatisation Society to a statement which he had seen in the newspapers, to the effect that a fair apportionment of salmon ova which had been recently received from America had not been made over to the society. Such statement was entirely without any foundation in fact, and Mr Firth hoped the Council would free the Auckland Acclimatisation Society from the imputation which had been thrown upon it, Mr Peacock stated that the letter had been read to the society, and they had decided that the letter should not be published. He thought Mr Farr (the secretary) should acknowledge the whole matter. A letter was read from Dr J. Hector, having reference to the safe arrival of a case of white fish ova.

Mr Farr said the subject of the "white fish ” was one of great; interest, and he thought the society should endeavor to get more of the fish. He thought the last specimens of white fish they had in hand were not of the right species. Mr Farr then read a printed paper having reference to the several species of the white fish. Dr Hector had recommended the white fish should be transferred to the Otago waters, and he thought a second lot of the ova should not be entrusted to the Auckland society The chief difficulty in propagating the white fish arose from the circumstance of their being coated with a kind of mucus which rendered the manipulation of the ova exceedingly difficult

A letter of inquiry was read from Mr W. B, Banks, town clerk, Hokitika, in regard to the introduction of salmon in the West Coast rivers.

Mr Peacock thought there had been some propositions made about their joining in the matter, but he was of opinion that it would be best for the Hokitika people to inquire further into the matter here for themselves.

Mr Boys was of opinion that the best course to adopt would be to write informing them that the society would be happy to furnish them with any particulars they might require upon their coming to the society’s grounds It was finally decided to refer the Hokitika inquirers to the Auckland Society, at the same time the Christchurch Society would be very happy to supply them with any infoimation they might wish for, if they chose to come to Christchurch,

Mr Boys thought that before deciding the question the society should write to Hokitika, recommending to their notice a most elaborate work on the culture of salmon and trout, by Francis Francis. The report of the sub-committee was postponed until next meeting, and an account of £5 5s 6d for wheat was passed for payment.

Mr Boys wished to know how much wheat was consumed in the course of a winter.

Mr Beck replied that it all depended upon the accommodation for keeping it. A letter was read from Sir Oracroft Wilson, in reference to the appointment of a ranger. Mr Peacock said there had been a resolution passed some time ago respecting the appointment of rangers. Mr Boys stated that no person could be appointed as ranger unless a notice recommending the ranger had been posted up for one month.

On the motion of Mr Boys, seconded by Mr Wallace, the society decided to post up the notice recommending the ranger, in accordance with the resolution. Letters were read from G. L. Mellish. Esq, and Archdeacon Davis, of Hobart Town, haying reference to a box of ferns which had not been returned to Hobart Town.

Mr Farr stated that the late curator had evidently received such, and had given no notice of it. There was no word in the minutes of Mr Johnson being credited with anything he had received. A letter from Mr Johnson in reference to the matter was then read and considered.

Mr Peacock thought there was nothing binding in the matter, but he thought some return should be made for the things sent, Mr Boys thought a supply of ferns could be obtained from the West Coast, and it was only a matter of courtesy to send such. Mr Parr knew nothing about the matter or the things which were said to have been received. Such transaction had occurred before he had been appointed secretary. Mr Boys believed that arrangement could be made with the driver of the West Coast coach for the supply of a box of ferns. Mr Parr proposed that the town clerk of Hokitika be written to on the matter, so that a few small boxes could be sent to Mr Davis. Mr Peacock wished to know whether steps should be taken for the placing of the 170 salmon already referred to into the river. He thought it should be done, if only as a temporary measure. It was decided that Messrs Farr and Peacock should have charge of the fish, and that a trap be ordered to meet the arrival of tne train conveying the fish. It was proposed by Mr Boys, and seconded by Mr Parr—“ That Mr Oakden be elected a supernumerary member of the society.” Carried.

On the motion of Mr Wallace, seconded by Mr Farr, it was decided that Sir Cracrofi Wilson be elected a member of the Council

A third gentleman was also proposed as a member of the Council, but it was decided t -at his election should be de'ened until a larger meeting of the members of the Council was held.

This concluded the business, and the Council adjourned.