H.—is

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last season. From these three 9,387 larva? were hatched, the average produced for each adult being 3,129. The other five females were allowed to hatch their broods in the ponds, and the larvae were allowed to escape in the usual manner through the pond-valves on the first of the flood. Many of the larvas were again liberated to the east of Quarry Point. The total production of lobster-larvae for the season is estimated at about 25,000. A large percentage of these were hatched from eggs that were shed by the adults whilst in the glass tanks by means of the McDonald hatching-jars. The first moult after spawning was observed on the 18th January. Five other males and four females are known to have cast between this date and the 18th February. Several of the females are again bearing eggs. The younger of the two lobsterlings died during the act of moulting, but the older one is still thriving and is now three and a half years old. The two surviving crabs died before the arrival of the new shipment. During my absence the paths at the new cottage were asphalted; the large pond was deepened by from 12 in. to 18 in.; new shelters and screens were made for the ponds, the pump-engine was overhauled, and everything was in perfect order on the arrival of the shipment on the Ist March. The new stock consists of forty-three crabs, forty-one lobsters, and 200 turbot (Rhombus maximus). The disposition of the crabs and lobsters in the various ponds has just about brought these up to their full carrying-capacity. The young turbot are being kept in five of the large glass tanks, and have not been handled since their arrival. Although the average daily rate of mortality during the voyage—even to the day of arrival —was two per day, only two have died during the past ten weeks, and these two were sickly on arrival. They are fed once a day on minced fish, chiefly ling, on account of the firmness of the flesh. At feeding-time they all rise towards the surface and seize the particles of food before they reach the bottom of the tank. Feeding is continued until the fish appear satisfied and particles arc allowed to settle on the bottom. Feeding is then discontinued, and every particle of uneaten food, manure, and sand is removed from the floor of the tanks by means of syphons. A liberal sprinkling of clean sand is thrown in the tank after this, and the young turbot soon " sand " themselves and become half-buried in this, and remain so for the most part until feeding-time comes round again. They have increased in size enormously since arrival; many of them already exceed 6 in. in length and are proportionately thicker. Provision is being made for their rapid increase in size byerecting one of the large wooden tanks, previously used for conveying lobsters on board steamer, in the hatchery. A sudden fall in the temperature of the water-supply to 5° C. on the Ist Maycaused them to become somewhat sluggish and to take very little food. They have, however, been subjected to slightly lower temperatures since then, and have fed as usual and have apparently been unaffected in any way. During spells of exceptionally severe weather the temperature of the supply water has occasionally fallen as low as 1° C. in previous seasons. On several occasions large numbers of sole and . flounder ova have been destroyed by this. To avoid further losses through this cause, and also to avoid the risk of exposing the turbot to these low temperatures, a small but effective heating-apparatus has been installed. A small lean-to has been added at the rear of the hatchery building and in this has been placed an "Ideal" boiler. The 2 in. supply-pipe has been coupled up so as to allow the water to circulate through the water-jacket surrounding the furnace. By means of three valves all or only a part of the water may be made to pass through this jacket, and it is now possible to have complete control of the temperature during the severe spells. The boat and launch have been regularly slipped for cleaning and painting. The whole of the ponds, plant, and buildings are in a very satisfactory state of repair. The whole of the fish-tanks, ova-boxes, and cooling-apparatus was received from the s.s. " Waimana " whilst in Dunedin, and have been brought to the hatchery for storage. The cooling-coils have been removed from the cylinders, painted, and replaced to avoid rust. I am, &c, T. Andehton. REPORT ON IMPORTATION OF LOBSTERS, ETC., AND TRIAL SHIPMENT OF ENGLISH HERRING-OVA.. Sir,— Portobello, 30th March, 1913. I have the honour to present the following report of the recent shipment of lobsters, crabs, and turbot, with a small experimental shipment of herring-ova, by the s.s. "Waimana," which arrived in Port Chalmers on Saturday, Ist March. My instructions from you before leaving were to visit the British, and if necessary the Continental, biological stations; to arrange for the collection, storage, and transport to this country of a number of crabs and lobsters and 60,000 herring-ova; and also to arrange, if possible, for a trial shipment of one or more species of the finest of the English food fishes. Smaller consignments of lobsters and crabs have previously been carried very successfully by Captain Holmes and Mr. Finlayson on board the s.s. " Karamea," and have withstood a considerably higher temperature than that at which they were carried this voyage, and it will not be necessary to refer at any great length to the details of their management. It is, however, the first time that an attempt has been made to transport the young turbot to this country, and the first time that a really serious attempt has been made with regard to the transport of the herringova, and it will be necessary and advisable to refer at greater length to the collection and storage of these, and to give fuller particulars of the details of construction of the boxes, tanks, filters, cooler apparatus, &c. I beg to enclose table of dates, positions, and temperatures during the voyage.