PROCEEDING'S 
AT THE 
FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING, 
Held December 20th, 1865 . 
The Annual Meeting of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria 
was held on Wednesday, December 20th, at the Society’s office, 
Swanston-street. His Excellency the Governor had promised to 
preside ; but, in consequence of indisposition, he was unable to attend 
the meeting. In the absence of His Excellency, and of the President 
Dr. Thomas Black, who was also prevented from attending by in¬ 
disposition* the chair was titken by Dr. Mueller, one of The Vice- 
Presidents. 
The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, remarked that the 
labours of the society had been confined entirely to the introduction 
of animals or plants which were likely to be of practical utility to the 
colony. Whenever the society’s collection had been supplemented 
by objects of mere ornament or luxury, those contributions were 
furnished by the private expenditure of the friends of the society. 
He might mention that, to prevent the unnecessary expenditure of 
the funds of the society, which was largely supported by the state 
the Council had not attempted to maintain a costly menagerie at the 
Royal-park, which by some persons had been made a ground of 
complaint against it. There was ample scope for the exertions of 
the society in a utilitarian direction, and there would be for many 
years to come. One object to which the Council was specially 
devoting attention was the introduction of different kinds of sea fish 
from Europe. The development of the fisheries of the colony was 
one of the most important things which could engage the attention 
of the Acclimatisation Society, because not only would it increase the 
food of the people, but it would also furnish an abundant supply of 
substances which would be most valuable as refertilisers of the land. 
The Council contemplated making full inquiries as to the acclimati¬ 
sation of such fish as the sturgeon, the cod, and the herring. An 
