6 
Edward Wilson, visited Sydney, and whilst there succeeded m 
inaugurating the Acclimatisation Society of New South Wales. In 
January, 1862, he visited Hobart 'Fowl, and initiated the Acclima¬ 
tisation Society of Tasmania, and, although unable to accede to the 
request of Sir R. G. McDonnell to visit Adelaide, Mr. Wilson ad¬ 
dressed a letter to the “ South Australian Register,” in which he 
powerfully urged the advantage of Acclimatisation, and this led to 
the formation of the Acclimatisation Society of South Australia. 
Duriii" a visit paid to the various provinces of the middle island of 
New Zealand in the summer of 1861 and 1862, Dr. Thomas Black 
succeeded in interesting several M the influential residents there in 
the cause of Acclimatisation, anFsince his return, the Council, at 
his suggestion, have entered into a correspondence with the re¬ 
spective Governments of Otago, Canterbury, and Lyttelton, which it 
is anticipated will be followed up by a grant of money by the 
Legislatures of these provinces for the introduction of certain animals. 
°The Council have to deplore the loss of two illustrious persons 
identified with the cause of acclimatisation. By the death of H. 11. H. 
the Prince Consort, the Society has been deprived of a zealous friend, 
to whom it was not only indebted for a present of roc-deer, but who was 
atthevery time of his lamented decease engaged in preparing a selection 
of game for tliis Society. The second calamity which the cause has 
sustained during the current year, was the death of Monsieur Isidore 
Geoffrey St. Hilaire, the father of modern acclimatisation, and the 
late President of the French Society. In view of these afflictive 
events, the Council thought they should be only cariying out your 
views in addressing letters of condolence to Her Majesty', and to 
the French Acclimatisation Society. 
Several changes have taken place in the personnel of the Council, 
during the year. In January, Mr. H. L. Taylor resigned, and was re¬ 
placed by Mr. James Smith. In February, Messrs. Edward Cohen and 
John Alves resigned, and were succeeded by Messrs. R. H. Bland and 
Germain Nicholson. In May, Colonel Anderson resigned, and was 
replaced by Mr. A. R. C. Selwyn. In June, Mr. W. Watts resigned, 
and Mr. E. J. Hogg was elected to fill his place, and it now devolves 
upon this meeting to fill the vacancy in this Council caused by the 
resignation of Messrs. D. S. Campbell, E. J. Hogg, and Germain 
Nicholson. 
Mr. Edward Wilson on quitting the colony in March last, placed his 
resignation as President in the hands of the Council, hut entertaining 
the conviction that they would be only carrying out the wishes of 
every individual member of the Society, they' requested him to retain 
