9

H.—7

It will, perhaps, be well for me to explain why I decided to take the doubtful packet on. In the first place, there was no society nearer than Nelson that had agreed to accept a portion of the shipment. Secondly, the postmaster at Auckland had arranged, previous to the arrival of the mailsteamer, that the "Stella" should bring down the Nelson and Picton portion of the mails. Consequently I resolved not to open the package until reaching Nelson, concluding that if a few survived they might in a short time be placed in the hatchery ; and, further, that those who had expressed an interest in the importation might be present to verify its condition when opened. I trust the Government will approve the motive which prompted me thus to decide. We arrived off the Boulder Bank at Nelson on the Bth instant, at 6 p.m., but the tide did not serve for the vessel to proceed to the wharf, and I was taken ashore in the pilot boat. Three members of the Nelson Acclimatization Society returned with me, and the package was at once opened; when my anticipations were painfully realized : the whole of the frames were carefully examined in every part, but only six eggs could be found having a globular form, and those quite in the angle of one frame; a close observation decided their utter worthlessness. As a fact, I may mention that the appearance of the layer in each frame gave evidence that they had been beautifully packed thus far, hatched out en route, the eyes being visible; hence the cause of putrefaction, the effluvia arising therefrom being most offensive. The disappointment, after all the trouble and anxiety, was most irritating, and especially so to the members of the Nelson society, who had incurred expenses in providing every requisite for conveying their portion to the lake. In conclusion I would like to add, the above is a brief memorandum of another failure in'the many attempts to introduce fish-food into the waters of New Zealand, and a further proof that the delicate embryo of fish require constant, careful, and enthusiastic attention, as well as a practical and scientific knowledge of requirements during transit, for they are not marbles, or even glass beads, which often receive more care. I have, &c, S. C. Faee. The Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Colonial Treasurer, Wellington.

No. 11. The Hon. the Colonial Teeasueee to the Hon. S. F. Baied, Washington, United States. Sie, — Government Buildings, Wellington, 27th March, 1886. Referring to my letter to you of the 10th October last asking if you could procure and forward fish ova to this colony, and to the shipment of one million whitefish ova forwarded by the San Francisco mail-steamer " Alameda," I beg to express to you the warmest thanks of the New Zealand Government for your having so kindly and promptly acceded to my request. I greatly regret, however, to have to inform you that the ova, although packed with the greatest care and in the most approved method, arrived in this colony in a putrid, condition, owing, it is believed, to want of proper attention on board the " Alameda." I trust, should you be kind enough to forward any further shipments, that those on board the steamers that they may be sent by will have sufficient public spirit to take more care of this valuable and interesting freight; and I will take care to see that this is done. I have not as yet received any accounts for any charges made by you in connection with the ova, and I hope that you will not fail to draw on the New Zealand Government for any sum that may be due. I sincerely trust that the fate of this shipment will not deter you from making further shipments; and, with renewed thanks, I have, &c, Julius Voqel. The Hon. Spencer F. Baird, Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D.C., United States, America.

No. 12. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 29th December, 1885. I resume my report of what has been done respecting fish ova. 1. Salmon Ova. My arrangements for getting ova from the Bhine and Switzerland are progressing satisfactorily, and I hope soon to make the first shipment. Mr. Searle has arranged for 60,000 Swiss ova, at 12s. per 1,000, and I may perhaps even get 100,000 more. From the Seewiese Fishery (Bavaria) I shall probably get 100,000, costing only 7s. per 1,000, and possibly may get 100,000 more. lam also getting from Seewiese some Bavarian brook-trout— Salmo fario —and great lake-trout, which you will, no doubt, be glad to have in New Zealand, as well as the Loch Leven and other trout already acclimatized. The spawning season has not been a good one on the Ehine, for the river was so low in the autumn that the net-men caught great numbers of fish ; but now there is plenty of water. Mr. Searle will receive the Swiss ova and take charge of them until fit for shipment. The Bavarian ova will come ready packed, and be immediately transferred to the ocean-steamers. As to the Tyne, after some correspondence with Mr. Bidley, Chairman of the Tyne Conservancy Board, he advised me not to work in that river this season, but wait till next year. I applied to the Conservancy Board of the Eibble Eiver for leave to take ova, and engaged Mr. Bamsbottom, son of the late well-known pisciculturist of Liverpool, to take them; but I hardly expect to get any there this season.