864 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



made its appearance, and by Monday, the lOth, all were hatclied out, 

 with the exception of about 1,000 bad eggs. They were thus left undis- 

 turbed until the Sth December, when, finding they had begun to feed, I 

 caught about half of them and turned them into the Wairoa Eiver, close 

 by the railway bridge. On the following Saturday, 15th December, the 

 remainder were caught and placed into two large tin-lined cases and sent 

 by rail to Fox Hill, from which place they were taken by spring convey- 

 ances over Spooner's Eange, a distance of about fourteen miles, and 

 placed into the Motueka Eiver, with a loss only of about fifteen on the 

 road. 



I estimate the total number turned out at about 25,000, and the bad ova 

 at about 2,500. It will thus be seen that the box contained little more 

 than half the estimated quantity, viz, 50,000. 



The ova was certainly most carefully and beautifully packed, and the 

 arrangements for supi^lying ice were exceedingly good. Great credit is 

 due to the shippers, and it would be well if Dr. Buckland and others in 

 England interested in the acclimatization of fish would take a lesson in 

 packing ova from our American friends. 



In conclusion, I hope the government will continue the good work so 

 well commenced until salmon is established in New Zealand waters 

 beyond a doubt and our rivers well stocked. 



I have, &c., FEEDEEICK HUDDLESTONE, 



Hon. Secretary Nelson Acclimatization Society. 



The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 



.No. 18. 

 Mr. W. Arthur to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 



DuNEDiN, IQtli Decemher, 1877. 



Sir : I have the honor to inform you that the box of American salmon 

 ova (supposed 50,000) arrived here safely by the Taupo on the 7th, and 

 contents transferred to the breeding boxes of the Otago Acclimatization 

 Society with as little delay as possible. The supply of ice was not ex- 

 hausted, and the ova were in very good condition, only four or five per 

 cent, having gone bad. I am sorry, however, to say that after being- 

 four days in the hatching-boxes many of them died, but others are 

 healthy, and some are hatching out. 



The society will be glad to hear soon as to when the supi)ly of white- 

 fish ova may be expected for our lakes. Our accommodation is limited, 

 and besides the salmon ova we have a great number of young trout 

 recently hatched out still in the hatching-boxes. 



I have, &c., W. AETHUE, 



Acting Secretary Otago Acclimatisation Society. 



The Hon. the Colonial SECRETAiiY. 



