Distribution of the Salmon Fry. 215 



Government, for the use of the Victoria to 

 take the salmon to Gippsland, had been very 

 favourably received, and on seeing her arrival 

 reported in the Argus, I at once wrote to the 

 Commissioner of Trade and Customs, asking 

 that arrangements might be made, as soon as 

 convenient, to send the fish to the entrance to 

 the Gippsland lakes, and to the mouth of the 

 Snowy river, and that the steam launch of 

 the Cerberus might be taken, to go through 

 the surf and ascend the Snowy river with the 

 young salmon. Not receiving any reply in a 

 few days, I had an interview with the Hon. 

 Mr. Lalor, who then stated that the Victoria 

 could not be sent on this trip, as there was no 

 money to pay the officers and men, on account 

 of the political difficulties between the two 

 Houses of Parliament, and that Captain Stan- 

 ley, the commander of the Victoria, did not 

 consider it safe to land near or to enter the 

 mouth of the Snowy river, unless in very 

 calm weather, as the coast is unsheltered, and 

 a dangerous surf from the Pacific Ocean 

 breaks upon the long stretch of the littoral 

 line known as the Ninety- Mile Beach, near 

 the mouth of the Snowy river. I had an 



