836 EEPORT OF COIDIISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The boxes were distributed as suggested in my letter of tbe 28tli of 

 July, and from the eight centers over forty distinct river systems have 

 been successfully stocked. From all quarters the most favorable reports 

 have come in, generally to the effect that 90 per cent, of the ova produced 

 strong fish that survived the early stages ; even rivers in the King or 

 rebel Maori country have been stocked, and the natives take a great 

 interest in i^rotecting the fish. Only in one case — Dunedin — is there a 

 report of mortality among the young fish, the reason of which is not 

 stated. 



It must be satisfactory to you that your simple and inexpensive ar- 

 rangements have produced such good results, considering the large sums 

 and the many years (sixteen) that liave been spent in the endeavor to 

 introduce Salmo solar into this colony and Tasmania, as yet without any 

 certainty of success. 



Everything is now ready for the whitefish ova, which I hope will 

 arrive next month. They are all to be placed in Le Dun Lake. 

 I remain, yours, very sincerely, 



JAMES HECTOE. 



Professor Baird, 



Washington. 



J. C. Firth to S. F. Baird. 



Auckland, December 17, 1877. 

 Prof. S. F. Baird : 



At request of Government of New Zealand, 1 inform you I have suc- 

 cessfully distributed throughout colony 500,000 salmon eggs. Thanks 

 to care of gentlemen in charge, eggs arrived in splendid condition. 

 Had insulated chests and tons of ice in readiness; by working through 

 night on arrival of steamer had all placed on board ; each j)rovided with 

 arrangement for drainage and ventilation ; one-half by rail across island 

 by steamers to the south ; remainder by steamer to east coast ; 50,000 

 to Sir Samuel Wilson for Victoria. From Nelson, Greymouth, Welling- 

 ton, Napier, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Victoria 95 per 

 cent, hatched. 100,000 by government apportioned Auckland ; 10,000 

 at our establishment near city ; 40,000 on shingle in country of Maori 

 King. At request of most powerful supporters, Punier, where last year 

 placed a large number ; 50,000 i^laced in Mangakahia Elver — fine river 

 for salmon, through wooded country, cold water from high ranges, through 

 little falls, long rapids, deep pools ; ova placed on shingle. Disappointed 

 that order for Auckland and Canterbury (250,000) overlooked. 



J. C. FIETH. 



