54 THE ACCLIMATISATION 



who had devoted his time day and night for 

 fifteen months to the care of the fish ! The 

 new-comer's incapacity would almost inevit- 

 ably have resulted in their destruction ; or, 

 if this had not happened, he would have 

 claimed whatever success might accrue. 

 Impressed with the conviction that he 

 was doing the best thing possible in the 

 circumstances for the colony, Mr. Dawbin 

 chose a night when a slight fresh was 

 coming down, opened the gratings, and 

 allowed the prisoners to escape into the 

 river. It is not our province to defend 

 Mr. Dawbin, but we would ask the com- 

 missioners why the circumstances which 

 led up to this are suppressed in their reports, 

 and the colonists whether they approve of 

 the arbitrary substitution of an inexperienced 

 manager for one who had abundantly proved 

 his abihty and deserved public confidence ? 

 Since the above events the magnificent 

 breeding ponds on the Wiwera have gone 

 to ruin, as we are informed ! " 



The facts in the above article have never 

 been challenged. 



