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bringing about such an incalculable good to New Zealand that Professor Ewart has devoted so much time and pains to the present experiment. I trust that, whether the ova reach you safely or not, you will be pleased to express in some form to the Professor the acknowledgments of the Government for all he has done. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosures in No. 33. Mr. T. Johnson to the Agent-Geneeal. Sib, — Gun Lane Sawmills, Limehouse, London, E., 11th March, 1886. I have the honour to forward you the enclosed report on the transport of herring ova. The report and the tracings attached will show you the completeness of the arrangements made to insure the probable success of so delicate and important an undertaking. Trusting my efforts may meet with the approval of your Government, I have, &c, Sir F. D. Bell. Thomas Johnson.

Eepoet on the Teanspoet of Heeeing Ova. Having, at the request of Sir F. D. Bell, Agent-General to the Government of New Zealand, been directed to give the subject of transport of herring ova to New Zealand my consideration, and to devise the best possible means to do so successfully, I have to report, after several conferences with Sir F. D. Bell, who read to me extracts of the correspondence he had had with Professor Cossar Ewart, of the Edinburgh University, on the subject of the transport of the herring, I prepared a draft plan, together with certain queries, so as to get some data on which 1 could act correctly, which in due course were forwarded to Edinburgh. Correspondence on the matter ensued; but, owing to the difficult nature of so important an undertaking, and as much valuable time would be lost by further correspondence, it was deemed advisable for me to proceed to Edinburgh and have a personal conference with Professor Cossar Ewart. I reached Edinburgh on the morning of the 19th February, 1886. In conference with Professor Ewart I found that the undertaking was more difficult and delicate than was at first anticipated. The difficulties to be overcome were : first, that there must be a constant supply of pure sea-water equal to 120 gallons per hour; second, that a low temperature of the sea-water was absolutely necessary, without which the success of the enterprise would be an absolute impossibility. After my conference with Professor Ewart, I telegraphed to Sir F. D. Bell, and returned to London. On the 20th February I gave Sir F. D. Bell a verbal report, and arranged with him to take steps to formulate and complete my plans for the undertaking. After consulting the Superintendent-Engineer of the New Zealand Shipping Company, and viewing one of the company's steamers (the "Buapehu"), I arranged certain details towards completing my plans. The difficulties I had to encounter were: first, how to obtain a constant supply of 120 gallons of pure sea-water per hour; second, how to dispose of the water after passing through the boxes and jars containing the ova; third, how to reduce the flowing sea-water of 120 gallons per hour to a temperature of 33° or 34° Fahr. The first difficulty was overcome by connecting a steam donkey-engine pump with the sea-water supply of the refrigerating engine; second, by a second steam donkey-engine pump, so as either to pump the waste water over the side or back to the supply-pipes leading to the ova boxes and jars ; third, to reduce the temperature of the seawater to 33° or 34° Fahr., leaden pipes are arranged in the main trunks of the provision-chamber in such a way as to insure the desired low temperature. After completing the plans necessary to attain probable success, I submitted them to Sir F. D. Bell and to Professor Ewart for their approval, which being given, the work was at once begun on board the steamer "Euapehu." Having successfully completed the general arrangements on board the above steamer, which sailed from London this day, 11th March, I have to refer you to the enclosed tracings from the drawings, showing (alphabetically arranged) the details of the whole plan as carried out for tho transport of the herring ova to New Zealand. Thomas Johnson.

Exteact from Letter from Professor Cossae Ewabt. Sie, — 13, Bothesay Place, 2nd March, 1886. . . . . Have you heard from New Zealand as to the reception of the eggs or young fish? Jf nothing has been settled, perhaps you might write by first mail instructing the authorities there to construct a large wooden box, such as is used for keeping living fish in harbours. This box might be about 12ft. square and 4ft. or sft. deep, with the planks of the bottom and sides about 2in. apart, so as to admit a through current of water. The spaces between the planks should be covered over by cheese-cloth such as is enclosed. If a car such as this is constructed the boxes used for carrying the eggs from Girvan should have the glass plates reintroduced to them, and be then placed in the car. The glass jars should have their corks removed and their ends broken, so as to admit a through current. ... I have, &c, Sir Francis Bell. J. C. Ewaet.

No. 34. The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Commissioneb of Trade and Customs. (Telegram.) London, 19th March, 1886. Heebing ova: Greatest regret telegram Madeira reporting failure.