190 Transactions, — Zoology. 



days) occupied by the steamer Wanganui between Port Chalmers and 

 Greymouth — to the hot weather of October, 1879, and to the ova being 

 considerably advanced in development when shipped. But the ova received 

 from Dunedin, in September, 1880, arrived in splendid condition — ^some 

 4,000 — which were packed in ice. I have not heard anything as to the 

 growth of trout on the West Coast, more than that some have been seen 

 14 inches long. Neither as to the CaHfornian salmon introduced in 1877, 

 further than that the West Coast Times of October, 1879, reported that the 

 Chinese whitebait fishermen had been taking numbers of young salmon in 

 the Hokitika river. But of course this report requires confirmation. Also 

 they are said to have been seen in the Grey river^ in 1880. 



Nelson Society. 



This society has successfully introduced the brown trout, and for several 

 years past angling has been permitted in one or two rivers. In December, 

 1877, about 25,000 young CaHfornian salmon were put into the Wairoa and 

 Motueka rivers. In May, 1880, the Nelson society reported that their 

 American whitefish experiment was a failure. (Parliamentary Papers for 

 1880). I have not been able to get any more information regarding fish 

 culture in Nelson. 



Marlborough Society. 



This society has worked perseveringly, since 1878, in getting fish for its 

 rivers, and with very good prospects as to the final results, It was formed 

 in the year 1874, and began operations by introducing birds. Eegarding 

 fish breeding, the secretary, Mr. Paul, has communicated the following in 

 May of this year. " Up to the year 1878, no systematic attempts had 

 been made to introduce fish. H. Eedwood, Esq., of Spring Creek, had 

 brought from Christchurch, in 1876, 200 young trout. For three years it 

 was doubtful whether they had survived ; the river they were placed in 

 being fed by water which is filtered underground, through shingle, for some 

 considerable distance. The matter, however, is now placed beyond doubt. 

 Several fish of about two pounds weight have been seen, which means that 

 a considerable number have survived. In 1878 the society procm-ed from 

 Dunedin 3,000 ova. Of these only 700 were reared, owing, we believe, to the 

 very advanced stage in which they were received — they were hatched out a 

 few hours after arrival. These were fed on raw liver forced through a 

 colander, for about four months, and then liberated. 



" In the beginning of the same year 500 young American salmon, part of 

 a Government shipment, were received. 



" A few of the young fish of 1878 have been seen, but nothing is known 

 of the fate of the salmon. Last year we procured 800 young fish from 

 Nelson and 9,000 ova (trout) from Dunedin. We were more successful in 



