880 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



No. 32. 



Mr. A. M. Johnson to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 



Teoutdale Farm, Opawa, 

 Christchurch, 23d A;pril, 1878. 

 Sir : The wliitefish ova received to-day by the Eotorua I regret to 

 report as all hopelessly bad, with the exception of three. 



From the appearance of the ova the failure most probably arises from 

 the eggs having been obtained too long, or kept without ice before the 

 starting of the steamer. 



It is quite possible that a further supply might be obtained this sea- 

 son, if instructions are sent by the outgoing mail so that the order could 

 reach the collector direct from San Francisco. The actual cost of eggs 

 in America is not much. I have had out many lots of trout ova, and 

 seldom i^aid more than $4 per thousand. 



With a view to increasing the chances of success in future similar 

 shipments, I would suggest that the lids of the ova boxes be screwed 

 down instead of nailed, a larger number of holes made in the lid, and 

 the inside of the boxes slightly burnt. 

 Again thanking you for your kindness in forwarding me the ova, 

 I have, &c., 



A. M. JOHNSOI!^. 



The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. 



No. 33. 

 Sir J. Cracroft Wilson to Mr. S. C. Farr. 



Cashmere, 2d April, 1878. 



Sir : I have the honor to report the following circumstances in con- 

 nection with the fry of the whitefish : 



On the 26th of February you reported that you had opened the two 

 boxes supposed to contain 20,000 whitefish ova, a present from the 

 United States Fish Commission to the Government of Ne.w Zealand; that 

 there were a few of the ova hatching out, but that the majority of 

 them had hatched on the voyage from San Francisco or Auckland, the 

 fry from which were dead. Finally, about 20 eggs produced fry in the 

 hatching-boxes of the society. Two of these died previous to Sunday, 

 the 17th of March. On that day, in consequence of a hot wind from the 

 northwest raising the temjierature of the water to 62° Fahr., six more 

 died, and it was evident the remaining twelve would not survive such 

 hot weather. 



On Wednesday afternoon, the 20th of March, I started, according to 

 promise, by the 4.20 p. m. train for Coalgate station, taking with me an 

 American vehicle, a pair of horses, two servants, one small fish-can, 



