28 



a few were found to have got into the crevices of the box in which 

 they were confined, and thus became incarcerated without the fact 

 being known, and the consequence was some dozen or so perished in 

 that way. With that exception he was not aware of any deaths. 

 They were in a large and commodious pond, with an abundance of 

 running crystal water, so that it was impossible to doubt that an 

 abundant success would result. He heartily congratulated the 

 society on the spirit they had displayed in uniting with Tasmania in 

 effecting a second importation of salmon, and that they had appro- 

 priated the liberal sum of £400 for the purpose, and communicated 

 with his excellent friend Mr. Youl, with a view to concert measures 

 with him for obtaining an additional supply. He was not aware of the 

 terms in which the partnership would be entered into — what part 

 would be taken by Victoria and what by Tasmania, but he was sure 

 both would go on as harmoniously as before. Whatever this Society 

 might decide upon — whether they proposed to retain a large portion 

 of the ova in this colony and try their hands at hatching here, or 

 whether they sent the greater part over to Tasmanian care, those in 

 Tasmania would be equally ready to meet Victorian wishes in all 

 respects. Probably he might take the opportunity of offering a 

 little advice on the subject of the fish, but it would be better to 

 confide it to the Council rather than the Society generally, the 

 former having, perhaps, the more practical knowledge. He was 

 not aware that he could say more, but he should be happy to answer 

 any questions. 



His Excellency asked what were the number of the salmon. 



Dr. Officer replied that they had been counted up to 3,000 or 

 4,000, but he did not think that was nearly the number. As to the 

 trout, which were confined in a much smaller compartment, no 

 more than 120 fish had been counted for a long time, but when they 

 got larger and came out to feed, there were found to be upwards of 

 300. So with the salmon, he believed the number would be found 

 larger than that originally calculated on. They had a wonderful 

 art in concealing themselves. Frequently he had walked along the 

 bank of the pond and not seen one, and another day they would be 

 in shoals. They seemed to dart with the speed of lightning under 

 any piece of stone, and so active and so vigilant were they, that he 

 had no doubt they would be too quick for any enemy. No doubt, 

 this time next year we should be catching them on their return trip 

 from the ocean. Out of the whole number of ova, about 18,000 

 were found to have been never impregnated, and he understood 

 that when they were sent out there were some fears on that score. 



