APPENDIX. 199 



usually reaches at the same age in the rivers of 

 Great Britain. 



For several months past it has been ascertained 

 that some of these fish would, spawn during the 

 present winter season. 



This expectation has now been fulfilled, and the 

 Commissioners have the pleasure of reporting that 

 a considerable number of Ova have already been 

 secured from a few of the Trout, and that others 

 are on the point of spawning. 



The Commissioners cannot say with any certainty 

 what will be the number of Ova which the present 

 season may yield, but from so small a body of fish 

 in the first year of their spawning the produce will 

 necessarily be limited. 



They hope, however, to be enabled to furnish an 

 immediate supply to the Council of the Victorian 

 Acclimatisation Society, and to the Association 

 lately formed at Launceston for procuring the early 

 stocking of the rivers on the northern division of the 

 Colony, who have given a guarantee that suitable 

 preparation shall be made for the safety and due 

 hatching of the Ova that may be entrusted to 

 them. 



The Provinces of Canterbury and Southland in 

 New Zealand, from both of which pecuniary contri- 

 butions have been received in aid of the undertaking, 

 as stated in their last Eeport, have a just claim to 



