5

H.—3

between. If they are to be sent any great distance after their arrival at Auckland, ice should be mixed with the packing above referred to. If they cannot be sent on immediately to their destination, let them be placed in an ice-house. On moving from the ice-house, and at any other time, be sure and keep the crates right side up, and handle with care. I have, &c, Mr. C. E. Buckland. J. A. Eichabdson.

Enclosure 7 in No. 4. The Acting Eesident Agent, San Francisco, to — Fbazee, Esq. Sib, — San Francisco, 15th January, 1887. I beg to inform you that I have placed on board the " Alameda " two cases of whitefisheggs for Sir Julius Vogel, Postmaster-General of New Zealand. In accordance with instructions received from Mr. W. Gray, Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, I hand you herewith copies of all instructions in my possession relative to the care of the eggs while on board the steamer and when landed in Auckland. Some lumber to build additional cases has been placed on board the steamer, so that there may be no delay in landing them at Auckland. I have, &c, Chaeles E. Buckeand, Acting Eesident Agent at San Francisco. — Frazer, Esq., Mail Agent, E.M.S.S. " Alameda," San Francisco.

No. 5. The Hon. the Ministeb of Mabine, New Zealand, to the United States Commissionee of Fish and Fishebies, Washington. Sic, — Marine Department, Wellington, 26th February, 1887. I have much pleasure in informing you that the shipment of whitefish-ova which you so kindly caused to be forwarded to this colony arrived in good condition. The packing appears to have been excellent, some of the eggs in the two lower trays of one case alone showing signs of injury by pressure. The percentage of bad eggs on being unpacked was less than 1 per cent. The packages were forwarded to the hatcheries without any delay, and the ova were placed in the water within four days after arrival at Auckland. On being placed in the water the ova did not separate freely, and lam sorry to say that on the second day nearly fifty per cent, was dead. The rest, however, has been hatched, and, notwithstanding that the losses have been so great, I trust that a good number of fry will be turned out. I should feel glad if you could suggest any way in which I might show the appreciation that I have of your kindness in this matter, either by forwarding any specimens of the natural history of New Zealand or otherwise. Again thanking you, I have, &c, W. J. M. Labnach, Minister of Marine. The Hon. Spencer F. Baird, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D.C., United States of America.

No. 6. Telegeam to Agent-Geneeal, London, dated the 13th July, 1886. Salmon-ova, herring-ova, repeat shipment.

No. 7. The Agent-Genebae to the Hon. the Colonial Teeasueee. Sic,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 14th July, 1886. I had great pleasure in receiving your telegram yesterday directing me to renew the shipment of both salmon- and herring-ova this season, and will do my best to carry out your wishes. I take this opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 2nd June last, No. 65/48, with the enclosed report by the Curator of the Otago Acclimatization Society, and I need not say how glad I was to hear that the ova by the " lonic " were turning out so well. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No.' 8. The Ministeb having Charge of the Mabine Depaetment to the Agent-Geneeal, London. Sib, — Marine Department, Wellington, 9th September, 1886. Adverting to my letter No. 75/49, of the 26th ultimo, I have the honour to forward herewith, for your information, copy of a very interesting report by the Curator to the Southland Acclimatization Society respecting the results of the operations at the Wallacetown Hatchery on one of the boxes of salmon-ova ex " lonic." I have, &c, W. J. M. Labnach, Minister of Marine. The Agent-General for New Zealand, 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W.