Salmon into Tasmania. 289 



17. It appears to your Sub-Committee to be indispensable 

 tliat the site selected for the first of such ponds should not 

 only be connected with a suitable main river channel, but 

 that it should be within a moderate distance of Hobart 

 Town, so as to admit of frequent and close supervision from 

 Head-quarters. 



18. The stream which most perfectly fulfils these inten- 

 tions is probably the North West Bay Eiver. The Derwent 

 is the only river besides, which, within an accessible distance, 

 is at all adapted to the purpose, and there can be no doubt 

 that one or other of its many smaller afiluents a few miles 

 above New Norfolk would be found to suit admirably in 

 every respect, except in the matter of distance from Hobart 

 Town, which is no immaterial consideration, however, where 

 constant supervision is so essential. 



19. M.X. Morton Allport, who is familiar with the North 

 West Bay River, gives the following reasons for preferring 

 it to any other : — 



" First. — The moderate distance from town, and con- 

 sequent ease of supervision. 



" Second. — The great parity of the water and quantity 

 of feed. 



" Third. — The comparative absence of natural enemies. 



^'Fourth. — The river presents a series of shallow, 

 gravelly rapids, and deep, still holes, from its 

 source to its mouth, and is fully as large as many 

 of the streams in which I have caught Salmon 

 fry in Wales. 



'■ Fifth. — The short course of the river (about twelve 

 miles), which will enable the fish to reach the sea 

 in a short time. This is of the greatest importance, 

 as it has been incontestably proved that the de- 

 struction of fish from natural causes is infinitely 

 greater in the fresh than in the sea water. 



^' Sixth. — The slight variation in the temperature of 

 the water vfhich at the source is not perceptibly 

 different summer and winter. The rapidity of the 

 fall prevents any great change of temperature 

 below.^'' 



20. In the event of spawn or young Salmon fry being 

 brought in safety to Hobart Town, it would be essentially 

 necessary to have them immediately removed, with all care 

 and tenderness, and with every precaution against accidental 



