EXPORTATION OF FISHES AND HATCHING APPARATUS. 977 



turbed during the voyage to Fiji, where a transshipment takes place. 

 This is the only point of difQculty, but I do not apprehend much danger 

 to the eggs, the time occupied being so short. 



2. Dr. Hector wrote to me from Honolulu, stating generally the ar- 

 rangement or understanding for the supply of eggs from the McCloud 

 Itiver establishment; but as his instructions from the New Zealand Gov- 

 ernment passed him on the way, I think it is better to let the question 

 of money rest until he has had an opportunity of writing from the colony, 

 after consulting the government, which he has had by this time. I may 

 say, however, that the New Zealand Government has funds at its dis- 

 posal for this purpose to an amount greater than is likely to be required. 

 In all likelihood the whole question will bo definitely settled by next 

 mail. Dr. Hector informs me that he had arranged for a supply of 

 whitefish from the East next spring, but, for the reason already stated, 

 I cannot go into details. However, the entire service will be satisfac- 

 torily arranged, I have no doubt. 



3. In his letter, Dr. Hector informed me that he had written to you, but 

 as his correspondence came by sailing-packet, doubtless it did not reach 

 you so soon as it otherwise might have done. I inclose copies of this 

 correspondence to the New Zealand Government. 



I have, &c., 



E. J. CEEIGHTON, 

 Resident Agent, Neiv Zealand Government, 

 Hon. Spencer F. Baird. 



Wellington, Novemher 16, 1876. 



Sir : Upon the return of Dr. Hector from the Centennial Exhibition 

 at Philadelphia, and having received his report of his proceedings in 

 the United States, it becomes my gratifying duty to tender to you the 

 thanks of the Government of New Zealand for the eminent and valuable 

 assistance rendered by you to this colony in the person of its represent- 

 ative at the Exhibition. 



I desire, further, to thank you for the hearty co-operation of the com- 

 mission over which you preside in the efforts of this country to obtain a 

 stock of food-fish from America. You will be glad to hear that the first 

 consignment to the government of 84,000 salmon ova, contributed by 

 Mr. Stone, the officer in charge of your establishment at the McCloud 

 Eiver, has arrived safely and in good order so far as yet reported on. 

 Tou will no doubt be informed of the result of the separate shipments 

 to private order from Auckland, Hawke's Bay, and Canterbury, by the 

 local acclimatization societies at those places. 



I shall have pleasure in sending you advices of the further progress 

 of the government importation by future opportunities. 



I have instructed Mr. Creighton to ascertain from Mr. Stone and to 

 draw for any amount that may be due from the government of this 



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