FISH HATCHERY BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 31

FISH HATCHERY BOARD.

■Very satisfactory reports of the progress and work done at the hatcheries were presented by the curator (Jfr T. Anderson). Tho egg-bearing lobsters were all isolated iv tanks, and appeared to lift in the best condition. Th© number of eg-gs in sight was estimated at about 130,000, and the development of these was progressing satisfactorily. It is expected that they will hatch out in the beginning of November. Fome of the crabs are also in spawn, and the number of ova is computed at between, six. and seven millions. The work of constructing a slip for the oil launch was nearly completed. The Chairman stated that the care and attention bestowed on the work by Mr Anderson was beyond praise. Already the results achieved were so good that they, pointed to a very large measure of success. Correspondence from the eecretary of the Marina Department was read. The sum o£ £500 was to be placed on the Estimates for the introduction of European food-fi-/n«s, and of this the sum of £100 was advanced to the board to recoup the great expense- incurred in fitting up the tankroom on the 5.6. Kaaramea for the last consignment of crabs, and lobctera. The chairman stated that a further shipment--of crustaceans had been arranged for, and al«o reported that he had asked Dr Allen. o£ the? Plymouth Biological Laboratory, and Mr Finlayson, chief engineer of the. Karamea, to arrange for a- smalt trial shipment of one kind of food fish ((cod, haddock, or tarbot). The selection of the kind to b» tried was left with Dr Allen, who would be best able to judge of the relative hardiness of the&e species-. Accounts- amounting to £118 Us* 8d were passed for payment.

The last meaning of the Marine Fish Hatchery Board was attended by Messrs G. M. Thomson (in the chair), D. Barron, C. W. H. 'Chamberlain, and R. Chisholm.