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No. 9. The Hon. Mr. Menzies to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir, — Dun Aiister, AVyndham, Gth February, 1878. At a meeting of the Southland Salmon Commissioners held yesterday, I was authorized to certify to and transmit the voucher enclosed herewith. Mr. Howard, the Curator of the salmon ponds, informed me that he had been instructed by the Hon. tho Minister of Lands to proceed to Melbourne to meet tho " Chimborazo," s.s., which has 50,000 ova of the Sal mo salar on board for the Southland ponds. The Commissioners are much gratified to learn this, and they hope that this experiment will be successful. They desire me to express a hope that arrangements will be made whereby one of Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co.'s line of steamers to the Bluff may be available to depart thither immediately on the transhipment of the ova from the " Chimborazo " to her. They have reason to believe that Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co. would willingly a little accelerate or delay, as the case might require, the departure of the steamer in order to obviate the delay and inconvenience and danger to the ova, such as the Curator experienced when bringing the salmon ova s s. " Durham " from .Melbourne, the particulars of which are given in the last letter from the Trustees in 1576 ; and also that, as Mr. Howard has no funds, it will be necessary to remit to him before his departure a sum of at the least £50. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Jas. Menzies, AVellington. Chairman Southland Salmon Commissioners.

No. 10. The Hon. Mr. Ballance to the Hon. Mr. Menzies. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 21st February, IS7B. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, and, while thanking you for your suggestions relative to the transhipment of the salmon ova expected by the "Chimborazo," to infora you that they have been anticipated, and that arrangements have been made with Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co., whereby Mr. Howard's passage both ways, and the freight of the ova, are provided for. Moreover, Mr. Howard has been informed that his necessary expenses will be paid, as formerly, on presentations of vouchers at the Treasury. I regret that, as no provision has been made on the estimates, the Government are not able to pay Mr. Howard's claim for salary as Curator. I have, &c, J. Ballance, The Hon. James Menzies, M.L.C., (En absence of the Colonial Secretary.) Chairman of the Southland Salmon Commissioners.

No. 11. Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co. to the Hon. Mr. Macandrew. (Telegram.) Melbourne, 14th March, 1878. " Alhambua" sailed yesterday with salmon ova ex " Chimbirazo," apparently in fine condition. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co., The Hon. J. Macandrew, AVellington. Melbourne.

No. 12. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 31st January, 1878. I have now the honor to inform you that the s.s. " Chimborazo " sailed from Plymouth on the 25th instant for Melbourne, with the consignment of salmon ova (about 45,000) shipped in the main ice-house of that steamer, in London, as reported in my letters Nos. 70 and 80 of the 18th and 22nd of January respectively, copies'of which are herewith enclosed. I have instructed Messrs. Weekes and Co., of Plymouth, to see that the ice-house was completely filled before the " Chimborazo " left Plymouth. For that purpose, and also to provide as long as possible against the breaking into the ice in the main ice-house for the use of the passengers, Messrs. Weekes and Co. put on board two tons of ice at Plymouth. They have reported to me that the ice-house was quite full, and that there was besides some ice remaining for the immediate use of the passengers, in addition to the quantity in the smaller ice-house of the ship. I have no doubt but that there will be sufficient ice left in the main icehouse, on the ship's arrival at Melbourne, to secure the safety of the ova. I sent you the following telegram ou the 28th instant: "Despatched to Melbourne, by ' Chimborazo,' 45,000 ova in ship's ice-house. Important have ice ready immediately on arrival. Arrive about sth March. Expense about £250." I considered it desirable that you should know the probable cost of the shipment, as it would enable you to know how much of the Parliamentary vote was left unexpended. The morning following the despatch of this telegram I received from you the following, dated Wellington, 23rd January, 3.55 p.m.: " Have ova been despatched?— Grey." I have written to Mr. Youl and Mr. Buckland, thanking them for the trouble they have taken in enabling me to carry out your wishes at a cost much below the sum you authorized me to spend.