in February, 1868, their importation was discontinued. Among other early gifts to the Society were silver-grey rabbits, from Sir George Grey, Californian quail and black swan, the latter given by Mr. Wilkin. Sir George’s silver-greys were not the only rabbits introduced, and for some years they continued to be turned out in various localities, and were protected by legislation. The Statute Book contains a long series of Rabbit Nuisances Acts, beginning with one passed in 1876, but the damage done by these animals continued to increase till the early eighties, and led to the ruin of many hitherto prosperous settlers. Then, in spite of protests from men with practical experience, came the introduction of stoats and weasels, which were expected to exterminate the rabbit. The introduction of such vermin is now generally regretted. The rabbit nuisance has been brought under control by the use of wire netting, poison and by trapping, but the damage done by stoats and weasels is increasing.
The functions of an Acclimatisation Society have, in these later times, come to be understood to relate to the introducing and rearing of fish, the importation and protection of game and other birds or animals, but the Society at its beginning had a wider scope, and included the vegetable kingdom, from forest trees to flowers and grasses within its field of operation.
The Society started under very favourable auspices; about £600 were privately subscribed, and was supplemented by a Government grant of £1,000 to be used in planting and preparing about four acres of the Domain, then waste land, as acclimatisation gardens. Here the Society established its fish hatcheries. The first trout ova, received from Tasmania in 1867, hatched out successfully, and the young trout were turned out into the rivers of Canterbury in 1869. They grew rapidly, and when fishing was allowed in 1874, the first fish caught sealed 9¼lbs. Since then trout weighing as much as 28lbs. to 30lbs. have occasionally been caught.
