OF SALMON INTO THE COLONY.

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our Government, and that copies of the above Reports have been transmitted to the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand. I have, &c, George Sprigg, Esq., R. Officer. Secretary to the Acclimatization Society of Victoria.

No. 8. Circular to Superintendents. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir, — Wellington, 4th January, 1868. The General Assembly having requested the Government to ascertain the most favourable situations in which experiments for breeding salmon in New Zealand could be conducted with the greatest probability of success, the object which the Legislature has in view would be much promoted if your Honor would be good enough to cause, by means of the Provincial Survey and Harbour Officers, or other competent persons, an observation and record to be kept of the temperature of the water of the principal rivers on the coast of the Province of , and also of the tidal waters at time of ebb and flow in the estuaries and inlets which salmon would probably frequent, and to transmit to me the results when completed. A descriptive statement of the depth and general character of the rivers and their beds should accompany this record. I enclose forms to assist the collection of information, but it is not intended to limit the information, which should be as full as possible; for instance, changes of temperature at different seasons of the year should be particularly specified. It will be impracticable to furnish the complete information on the latter point before the expiration of a twelvemonth, but it is important that as much information on the whole subject as can be procured before next April should be forwarded to this office as soon as possible after it is obtained. I have, &c, E. W. Stafford.

No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Murison to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Sir,— Dunedin, 13th March, 1868. I have to acknowledge receipt of yours of the sth instant, inclosing copy of a Memorandum by Dr. Hector, and the Reports of the Tasmanian Salmon Commissioners. I may state that in my opinion the action taken by the Provincial Government of Otago for introducing salmon into the Province will obviate the necessity for the General Government of the Colony taking any further steps towards carrying out the instructions conveyed in the resolution upon this subject which was adopted by the House of Representatives during last Session. The ship " Celestial Queen" was to leave London on the 15th January last, having on board about 100,000 salmon ova for this Province, and ponds and hatching apparatus are now in course of preparation for their reception on the River Waiwera, a tributary of the Clutha. Should the General Government feel disposed to render any assistance towards the introduction of salmon into New Zealand, they might adopt the recommenelation of the Salmon Commissioners of Tasmania, by making arrangements for a shipment of ova from England in the beginning of 1869, and I have no doubt that if the Provincial Government of Otago were communicated with they would readily place at the disposal of the General Government the ponds, &c, which are now being prepared. Upon referring to the Tasmanian Commissioners' Reports, I find the estimated cost of such a shipment to be £800. The Commissioners recommend two or three shipments, in order that the rivers of the Colony may be stocked as soon as possible. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. W. D. Mhrison.

No. 10. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. T. M. Haijltain to His Honor J. Macandrew. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 2nd April, 1868. Understanding that the Provincial Government of Otago are causing ponds and hatching apparatus to be constructed on the River Waiwera for the reception of salmon ova expected to arrive soon from England, I have to request your Honor to be good enough to inform me whether, in the event of the Colonial Government sending for a further shipment of salmon ova, the ponds and hatching apparatus referred to would be available, and if so about what time, for the reception of such ova. I have, &c, T. M. Haijltain His Honor the Superintendent, Otago. (for the Colonial Secretary).

No. 11. Copy of a Letter from His Honor J. Macandrew to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. (No. 7,347-47.) Superintendent's Office, Sir,— Dunedin, 13th April, 1868. In reply to your letter of the 2nd instant relative to the salmon-rearing apparatus on the Waiwera River, I have the honor to state that it is intended that the apparatus shall be kept in constant use for the hatching of ova for years hence. The services of a duly-qualified pisciculturist, to take charge of the Waiwera Ponds, have been secured permanently, and he is now on his way from 6