232 APPENDIX. 



The Honourable Sir Eobert Officer was Chairman 

 of the Commission from its first appointment. 

 His enthusiasm in the cause of the Salmon experi- 

 ment was proverbial, and much of its success (of 

 which he was satisfied long before belief in it 

 became so general as at present) was due to his 

 vigilance and unceasing supervision. 



The good effect of the closure of the river was 

 proved recently in an attempt which was made 

 under our authority to secure specimens of Salmon, 

 and which resulted in the capture of an enormous 

 and extraordinary quantity of indigenous fish. 



Proof was thus afforded that the closed portion 

 of the river has become a nursery, not only for the 

 SalmonidcB but for our native fish. The fishermen 

 are thus in a better position than if the river was 

 open, as vast numbers of the fish are certain to 

 push out of the protected waters and thus keep up 

 a good and permanent supply for the market. 



We venture to assert, if the river were now 

 thrown open the result would be most disastrous ; 

 in the course of a few years the fish would again 

 become as scarce as ever, and the fisherman would 

 have to go much farther afield to practise his 

 calling under far greater difficulties than at 

 present. 



EOB. CAR EEAD, 



Chainnan. 

 8th September, 1879. 



