Dates

• Existence: 1864 - Present

Biography

In July 1862 Dr Julius Haast first proposed that an acclimatisation society be created in a speech to the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. On 25th April 1864 the Canterbury Horticultural and Acclimatisation Society was officially formed. Key early figures were the Venerable Archdeacon Mathias, Sir John Cracroft Wilson, Dr Julius Haast, W T L Travers and T H Potts. The aim of the society was to support the introduction of various kinds of birds, fishes, rabbits and other animalswhich were likely to be beneficial to the province. The acclimatisation grounds were a 4 acre plot of land in the Domain (Hagley Park) between the Avon River and the Public Hospital. Later the name was changed to the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society and in 1917 became known as the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. In 1990 the Society changed its name to North Canterbury Fish and Game Council, currently known as North Canterbury Fish and Game.

Citation:

Lamb, R. C. (1964). Birds, beasts and fishes; the first hundred years of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. https://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S37C79934

Druett, J. (1983). Exotic intruders; the introduction of plants and animals into New Zealand. Auckland, N.Z. ; Exeter, N.H., U.S.A. : Heinemann. https://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S37C52173

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records: