326 Proceedings. 
“« Sydney, 12th June, 1852. 
‘‘Sir,—I have frequently observed notices in the newspapers of proposals 
to introduce the Salmon into Van Diemen’s Land, and I trust to the 
interest Your Excellency has shown in the matter for being excused the 
liberty I take in addressing you on the subject. I would write to Mr. 
Alfred Denison, at Carsides, for a note of introduction, but that I might be 
obliged to leave Sydney before it arrived, and it is the less necessary, as 
I do not wish to occupy any of your valuable time in acknowledging this 
communication: my purpose will be fully served if my scheme can be used 
to the benefit of your colony. I should have written on the subject long 
ago, but that I have suffered a very long and severe illness, which, until 
very lately, has for many months prevented my making even the most 
trifling exertion. I originally thought of means of introducing Salmon 
into the Southern Hemisphere for the benefit of New Zealand, in which 
colony I always felt great interest, some time before I ever saw any notice 
of the Tasmanian movement for the same purpose. I was just now 
reminded of the matter by seeing in the papers a copy of a letter from 
some person in Scotland who proposes to send out full-grown Salmon 
for the purpose of stocking your rivers, a scheme which I do not think 
offers any great prospect of success. 
“ T am, Sir, ne 
‘t Your very obedient Servant, 
“‘ His Excellency Sir W. Denison, “ J. C. BipwE.u. 
“‘ Governor, Van Diemen’s Land.” 
‘* Notes on the Establishment of the Salmon and other Fish in the Rivers 
: of Tasmania and New Zealand. 
“When formerly travelling in New Zealand and admiring its noble 
rivers, I could not help lamenting that they should be so scantily stocked 
with fish, and I was gradually led to speculate on the best means of sup- 
plying the deficiency by the introduction of the Salmon and other valuable 
fish from the rivers of Europe. I first thought of drying the impregnated 
spawn, and I believe there is a chance of success by this method. The 
introduction of adult fish, which I have lately seen recommended in the 
newspapers, I have never considered a practicable means of stocking the 
rivers, because I do not believe that any of the salmon family will breed in 
absolute confinement; and if the imported fish were turned loose in the 
rivers, the chances against their depositing their spawn in safety would be 
very great indeed, even if the number of individuals introduced could be 
great enough to allow a reasonable chance of the sexes meeting at the spawn- 
ing places. On mentioning the subject of the introduction of fish from foreign 
countries to the late Earl of Derby, he informed me that he had been 
extremely unsuccessful in his attempts to breed exotic fish in England, and 
Ido not think that there is an instance of any fish not belonging to the 
Cyprinide having been successfully established as colonists in,any country ; 
