EXPORTATION OF FISHES AND HATCHING APPARATUS. 965 



AUCKLAND, July 1, 1876. 



Gentlemen: I think I stated in my last letter of May 8, that we had 

 decided to import a consignment of salmon ova during the approaching 

 season, and we were only waiting to ascertain whether the southern 

 societies would unite with us in the undertaking. As the Canterbury 

 and Waryanni societies have both agreed to do this, we have decided 

 to introduce 250,000 ova; and the inclosed letter to Mr. Livingston 

 Stone (which perhaps you will kindly forward) contains an order for 

 that number. 



I hardly suppose I need say anything about the packing of the ova, 

 for Mr. Livingston Stone will doubtless see that this is properly and 

 e£Bcieutly done. I have no doubt but that arrangements can also be 

 made with him for delivering the ova at San Francisco, and for which 

 you will kindly reimburse the cost to him. 



The point that will demand the most attention is that the boxes of 

 ova are safely placed on board the steamer in a good and sound ice- 

 house, packed so as not to be jolted about, and furnished with an ample 

 supply of ice to last the whole voyage. Under the circumstances it 

 would be better to have a special ice-house built on deck. Mr. Stone 

 will be able to give you some valuable hints, as to the form and con- 

 struction of this. My own opinion is in favor of one with double walls 

 and double roof, the interspace of, say, six inches being tilled with saw- 

 dust which is a bad conductor of heat. Inside the ice-house the boxes 

 should be packed so as not to be disturbed by the rolling of the vessel, 

 and so arranged that a space is left for a free current of air around them 

 and between each box. The ice you can place in a manner that appears 

 best adapted to keeping the whole of the ova at a temperature below 

 the freezing point. 



By all means provide plenty of ice, as if that fails for a single day the 

 whole consignment would be probably lost. It would be far better to 

 have a ton or two of ice to spare on arriving here than to risk the safety 

 of the entire shipment. 



Most likely it will be advisable to engage some one on board the 

 steamer to look after the consignment, giving him a small payment for 

 the voyage, and promising him a gratuity of £20 if the ova be landed 

 here to my satisfaction as to condition of ova and supply of ice. Of 

 course so long as affairs appear to be all right it would be injudicious 

 to enter the ice-house ; but contingencies might arise (such as the dis- 

 placement of some of the ice, or even the boxes, by a storm ^ which would 

 render the presence of some one, previously instructed, of great value. 

 It might be advisable to have two small windows six inches square on 

 opposite sides of the ice-house. These windows must be double; that is, 

 one pane of glass on the inner wall and one pane on the outer wall- 

 both being made air-tight. 



It would oblige me if you would mention to Mr. Stone, if opportunity 

 occurs, the importance of forwarding the shipment as early as possible 



