THE TROUT OVA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2118, 4 October 1867, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE TROUT OVA.

Mr Johnson, the Secretary of the Acclimatization Society, arrived by the Rangitoto on Sept. 21, with the trout ova which he has procured from Tasmauia. Dr Officer and the other members of the Coinmission evinced every desire to aid Mr Johnson in carrying out the objects of his mission, and expressed their hearty wishes for the success of the experiment.

j The ova, which were spawned shortly before Mr Johnson's arrival in Tasmania, in a- little rill connected with the ponds at the Plenty, were packed in moss in three boxes, containing 400 each. The boxes were perforated and placed in a larger one, also containing moss. The passage to Melbourne was very rough, and the luxes were much shaken. The stormy outlier having delayed the steamer, a week's detention in Melbourne was the consilience, during which time the boxes were packed in ice at the works of the Victorian lee Company. On the departure from Melbourne of the Kangitjto, the box was slung on board the steamer, and a fresh supply of ice obtained from the Company. The voyage to New Zealand was a fair one, but strong head winds were met wish between the Bluff, Otago, and Lyttelton. During this time the ova were carefully watched and a fresh supply of ice was placed in the outer box every two hours, and the muss kept saturated with the coldest fresh water procurable. On (he arrival of the steamer at Utago, one of the boxes of ova intended for the Otago society was handed over 10 the officials of the association.

On arrival at Lyttelton the boxes of ova were immediately landed and conveyed to the gardens. The ova were then placed in the breeding boj: prepared for their recepdon, which is supplied with water from an artesian well by pipes so arranged as to luodify the force ot the stream. As might have been anticipated, from the transhipment of the ova, the rough weather experienced, and the unavoidable detention at Melbourne, a suv.ill per-centage has perished, but as far as can be at present ascertained, the remainder are in a heal.hy condition, and Mr Johnson himself cntertaius no doubt of the successful hatching of fish. Besides the trout ova, Mr Johnson has brought a large anil valuable collection of objects of use and interest to the province. Mr M. Allport has proved himself a valuable coadjutor in the undertaking. Mr Johnson has succeeded in bringing with him some .English perch, and also some tadpoles. He lias also in charge a deer from Tasmania, presented by Mr Graves. Amongst, other importations will be found a species of water snail, which possesses the property of feeding on decayed vegetable matter, and also affording an abundant supply of fond for fish. From the Botanical Society of Tasmania Mr Johnson has obtained a considerable number of seeds and plants. I'rom the Melbourne Botanical Society he has been supplied with the American Hickory, Diospyrus Virginiana, an American fruit- and timber tree; a specimen of a new and beautiful Queensland palm, and a new variety of vine from the same colony; a plant of the Australian mahogany tree, the most valuable timber-tree grown there; a Cork oak. a Norfolk Island pine, some Chinese tea-plant?, Peruvian bark-trees, arrowroot plants, and specimens of the blue and white waterlily. These are very easily cultivated, and from their hardy character will no doubt soon form a prominent feature in our lakes and rivers. They are readily acclimatized, and once planted require little or no attention. A few being placed in the river would soon form a pleasing addition to the Government Domain and to the gardens of the Aciiimatizution Society. There is no reason why the Avon in Canterbury should not in a short time rival the Ouse in the number and beauty of these pretty and favourite aquatic plants. Mr Johnson Ims been presented by Messrs Grant and M'Millan, of Melbourne,with some rare and curious seeds, amongst which are those of the Locust-bean, the Sesawiia indicum, a plant yielding a valuable oil, and which is used as food, and also medicinally; the Pennicilluria spkala a cereal used as millet, and likely to suit the climate of Canterbury, and some new varieties of spinach from California. A few gold-fish have been contributed by the Melbourne Acclimatization Society, and some seeds of the Madagascar bean, by that of Duuedin. Some eggs of a fine breed of grey Dorking fowls have also been obtained. Mr Johnson Inn also brought seeds of the Lima bean, specimens of the Chinese sugar grass—Sorghum saccharalum, and of the Osage orange, a highly ornamental hedge-plant, and one of very rapid growth. This latter plant has recently come into vogue in Victoria for fences, where it forms a cattle-proof fence in a few years. Should the climate of Canterbury be favourable to its growth, it will prove a valuable acquisition to the province.

£100,600 mainly. of land^and//the/moment: when we bad every re/iß6n;toexpecb;aomereturntlie distict is fevered. sfrpmsthe y province, jjj does ./not; appear; that;, prbyisimi jj M teen made jn ;the;Weßtland //Bill for the repayment; of ;ariy//part::of:the debt the ;[)mvince^haßVcbntmcte<i;ori ; account of that district. It is,..therev fore no ..paradox: to say that with : Canterbury )m embarrassed, and -that without West/land Canterbury is ' n fl •.positionbordering on bankf"P%' ''Q' n belmlf of Westland ran into debt, and Xyeatland ceases to b* a part of: the province when repayment was reasonably looked, lor. The case is very simple, and none but the intentionally' obtuse can fail to understand it. . Xhe financial bills brought in by the Government and dealt with by the House, include the Surplus Revvenues Adjustment Act, the object of which is to settle the outstanding accounts between the General Government and t'ie provinces; the Public Revenues Bill, which defines Jiow, for the future, the public accounts (ball be dealt with ; the Loan_ Allocation Amendment Act, relieving the Northern provinces froni the sums allocated to them on account of the Three Million Lonu; a bill to. declare the liability of the colony on account pf Provincial loans ; and the Loan Consolidation Act. The last-named authorises the Government to appoint; an agent for the purpose of raising by loan a.sutu not exceedingseven millions, in Great Britain or .elsewhere. This is to be applied to;tlie /consolidation of all the loans of the: colony, whether General or Provincial, The interest and sink-fog fund are not to exceed six per cent. Such, according to advices by telegraph, are the main provisions of the bill"; the details we are not'in a position to state. The Bankruptcy bill alluded to in our last summary lias passed through all its stages in both Houses, and only awaits the sauction of the Governor to become law. A Mil for the abolition of imprisonment for debt was passed through the House of Representatives, but has since been rejectt d by the Legislative Council. The third reading of the Divorce bill was carried on a division, but it has yet to pass the ordeal of the Upper House. The Canterbury Waste Land Eegulations have been amended in so far as they relate to pre-emptive rights for wire-fencing. It will be recollected that the Provincial Gouncilj during its late session, passed a series Of resolu: tions in favour of/ abolishing such,preomptive rights in future. Tbebill agreed to in the -House ,of Representatives validates all existing; Tights, but prohibits; thein;'ih:alf: time; toVcbme, The geiect,c6mmittee appointed .:tp, ; inrjuire; into the proposal!for: establishing !; „ JJJew Zealandjscholarships |o : theEuropean. universities has/reported/ in.. iayour /of the :schemei' : vThey Tecommendv tha,t ; : eight scholarsnij}s should beeatabliahed competed:' for .each.year--; which :may ;.afibrd:' : to; ■ the /successful.; : ■■ Education; in-- ; Great, /Britain ; br/else-: : where/!', With regard/to a New Zealand. /University,, the committee dbeß/.not go further tiiari. to /recp/mraend ; thaf liberal, /endowments/of. iand ghbuld be made

in contemplation of future action. The recall of Sir George Grey drew from botb branches of the Legislature addresses in which his services to the colony were most fully recognised and his approaching 'withdrawal from the government most' deeply regretted. His Excellency received the addresses ■with much emotion, and expressed a hopetbatthoughhe was not allowed any longer to govern, he might still be permitted to watch the substantial progress of a colony the history of which will always be associated with his name. It is said that the natives, who have been unusually quiet of late, and with whom Sir George Grey is generally popular, will make a demonstration on the occasion of his withdrawal from

the government of. the colony. Con siderable. interest is ..felt as to Sir George Grey's successor, and no less than four names hare been mentioned: These include Lord Lytteltorij Lord Alfred Churchill, Mr Kennedy, and Mr Pope Hennessy. The approaching visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has been recognised by the General Assembly, and his reception provided for by a special rote. It is uncertain -whether he will land at any other place but and this uncertainty checks the growth of that enthusiasm which the -prospect of entertainiDg a Eoyal visitor would no doubt create among the Queen's loyal subjects of Canterbury, ¥e have little that is new to report in connection with the public works of the proyince. Tn reply toinquiriea made through the,. medium v of; the public press, the railway contractors have made known the fact that the tunnel works'haVebeen much;impelled by areef or streamof'the yerybardest trachytic rock, some three and fiftv yards in length, in the bottom, lift. About fifty: yards of this- remain to be worked, and: the tuntiel is: expected to be fully ready fori traffic in the first Or second week o£-.-M\ member. The damage to the Great Southern Bajhvay. hear the Selwyil bridge, reported in pur last, summary, has been ■mad.e-i'oqd,-anMhe line, will be opened: for the conveyance of goods and passengers 1 on October 7. The harbour works progress slowly on a Bmall scale. . . The Auckland goldfield, which for some timeiuctuated; between success and. failure, inclines towards the former according to the latest news. But the prospects are more in the way. of quartz mining than alluvial digging,: and there is nothing in. the returns made public to. attract a.large, population. The yield of gold from the West Canterbury go 1 dfields has .not greatlyfallen off, although there is. a perceptible diminution. The direction-of new. discoveries is cbiefly north ward j to the Nelson side of the Grey river, but, there are mary who firmly belieyethat an extensive, area of.payable, ground will yet be fcund close, to the foot of the ranges which divide East from West Canterbury. % The favourable account brought by

last mail, of the price in tlie London market Canterbury: wheat, '"hag done tnucti to.. revive the hopesJqf;oui'farihers.aaathe establishment.pfithe;: Agricultural: Produce Export Company >holds;oiitto them a ■""furthei* ;iproapect;^oft; better times.;;Afterthe i severe :ordenV through;. whicli; the province iiaajpas ■purification; it has; receiveoVby many-of the failures : which r have .taken place, trade .will .be placed ,pii. : a surer and more, legitimate l)asia. : Many will haye'Bufiered;in thenieantiuve,but the ultimate result will benefit all alike.