THE CALIFORNIAN SALMON. 
147 
I then applied to the Gippsland Steam Navigation 
Company, and with great liberality they at once offered to 
convey the fish free of charge by any of their steamers, to 
the Lakes Entrance, or to any point on their usual route. 
They also expressed their intention to send a small steamer 
soon, on an exploring expedition to the Snowy Eiver, 
which could take the fish at the same time. This very 
liberal offer I at first intended to accept, but on enquiry 
I found that many days might be occupied by the trip, and 
the difficulty of keeping the fish alive for such a long 
period, together with the risk of windy weather, which 
might cause further delay, caused me to decide upon 
taking them overland. 
I then applied to the Hon. Mr. Woods, the Minister of 
Eailways, who showed every desire to assist me, and placed 
the whole department at my service in the most liberal 
manner. As it is necessary in the transit of salmon that 
no delay should occur, I asked for a special train to run 
during the night, and to go over the contractors’ lines as 
far as practicable. 
I found, on inquiring of Mr. Higinbotham, who kindly 
offered to assist me, that only four miles of a gap was 
left in the whole line from Oakleigh to Sale, the rails 
being laid all the rest of the way. I then applied to the 
contractors, asking for permission to run a Government 
train over their uncompleted lines, to convey the salmon 
fry, which request they at once and most readily granted ; 
and not only so, but Messrs. Eishbourne and Morton, and 
Messrs. Noonan Brothers gave their personal attendance 
during the night, and furnished men to assist in carrying 
the cans, and also riding-horses where required. The 
Eailway Department not having a spare engine to do 
the work, asked the contractors for the use of their 
engine on hire, which was most readily granted; and 
K 2 
