ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1284, 1 May 1878, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held at Eadcbffe's Hotel yesterday afternoon. Present—Sir J. C. Wilson (in the chair), Messrs Frankish, Mellish, an 4 Farr (lion. sec). Mr Jardine brought before the meeting a dozen English larks which lie had caught. The birds were very fine strong ones, and looked healthy and in good condition. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, stating that David Douglas, gamekeeper to the society, had been appointed as a ranger for the Canterbury provincial district. An anonymous letter was read, stating that

poaching to a great extent was going on in Akaroa in the matter of shooting pheasants. Some discussion arose as to tho reported practice of pheasants and hares frequently appearing on tho tables of the Canterbury Club out of season. It was unanimously resolved that Mr Harper, the solicitor of tho socioty, bo requested to institute inquiries with reference to reports current in Christchurch as to game—out of season—frequently appearing on tha tables of the Canterbury Club, with instructions to take such proceedings as ho may think fit. A letter was read from Mr Creighton, San Francisco, respecting the forwarding of tho prairie chickens, enclosing a letter from Mr Baker of Kansas, accounting for the non-recep-tiou of the birds, because tho open season prevented their capture. Mr Creizhton also stated that ho would be up the country shortly, and would arrange for having other animals shipped to tho society. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, stating that a warrant had been forwarded signed by his Excellency tho Governor, authorising Mr L. Walker, his servants and others, to kill hares upon his property. The members of the Council pointed out that all they had asked for was that Mr Walker and his servants should be authorised to shoot hares, and not every one A letter was read from the Eangitata, stating that the salmon fry in the Eangitata, which had been placed in the river by Sir Cracrof t Wilson, had grown considerably since they had been so deposited. The secretary stated that there being no one appointed to issue coursing licenses, he had telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary, asking that someone should be appointed. In reply, ho had received a telegram stating that all liares were protected except on Mr Walker's property. [Laughter ] Be had, therefore, taken the bull by the horns, and had issued an advertisement stating that the licenses for coursing could be obtained at his office, and some twenty had been issued. Ihe Secretary reported what had been done with regard to the placing of the trout in the reservoir at the Heathcote, in compliance with the request of the Lyttelton Borough Council. The reservoir, he might say, was very full of aniinalcala;, so that the trout could not starve. Mr Mellish said he desired to bring a matter under the notice of the Council, a matter which was of great interest to the farming community, viz.—the introduction of the sugar maple. They could introduce the trees, but there was some difficulty in getting tho seeds to germinate. In America the trees were tapped when they were about fifteen years old, but here, where the acclimatised trees did so well, no doubt the trees might be tapped when they were twelve years old. Every cockatoo or small cottager could grow the trees. He wished to see tho society put a sum of money aside to introduce the sugar maple. He thought that the best way to do would be to consult the Government gardener as to the best way in which the sugar maple 3 could be introduced. Ho thought that the seeds might be sown in Wardian cases, and also the young plants, so that they would have ttvo chances of getting the trees introduced. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Mellish—

" That application be made to Mr Creighton in San Francisco to Kend the society plants and seeds of the sugar maple, in Wardian cases, and that a sum not exceeding .£SO be put on one side for the purpose. The Government gardener to be consulted on the matter." I)r. Frankish seconded the motion, which was agreed to. After some further business the meeting adjourned.