PAPERS RELATING TO THE

G.—No. 26.

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guaranteed sum, so as to be able to claim a fair share of the ova. But even if they do not, this Society is quite prepared to be responsible for the whole sum. My previous letter will have explained to you the wishes of the Society as to the shipment, which it is not necessary at present to enlarge on. I have, &c, Edwaed D. Butts, The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Hon. Secretary.

No. 3. Mr. Cooper to Mr. Butts. S IE; Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1871. I have the honor, by the direction of Mr. Gisborne, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th ult., addressed to the Colonial Treasurer, on the subject of the introduction of salmon ova. In reply, I am to state that copies of your letters of 14th and 18th November have been forwarded to the Secretaries to the Acclimatization Societies of Christchurch and Nelson, with a request that they will state what sum those Societies will contribute for the purpose. It has also been intimated that the Government considers that the three Societies in the Middle Island should between them contribute at least £500, and they have been asked to suggest the plan to be adopted for obtaining the ova and conducting the whole experiment, and to furnish an estimate of the cost, &c. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Acclimatization Society, G. S. Cooper. Invercargill, Otago.

No. 4. Mr. Cooper to the Secretary, Acclimatization Society, Christchurch. Sib,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1871. I have the honor, by the direction of Mr. Gisborne, to transmit to you the accompanying copies of two letters from the Hon. Secretary of the Acclimatization Society at Invercargill, on the subject of the introduction of salmon ova, and to request that you will be good enough to inform the Government what sum the Christchurch Acclimatization Society will contribute for the purpose. The Government consider that the three Societies in the Middle Island should contribute at least £500 between them; and lam to ask you to suggest the plan to be adopted for obtaining the ova and conducting the whole experiment, and forward an estimate of cost, &c. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Acclimatization Society, G. S. Cooper. Christchurch. [Similar letter to Secretary of the Nelson Acclimatization Society.]

No. 5. Mr. Ease to the Hon. W. Gisborne. g IE Christchurch, 23rd December, 1871. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 18th inst., No. 631, and to inform you that the Council of the Canterbury Acclimatization Society meets on Friday next, the 29th inst., when your communication shall be laid before them for discussion, the result of which I will forward to you per first mail. I have, &c, S. C. Farr, The Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Hon. Sec. Canterbury Acclimatization Society.

No. 6. Mr. Farr to the Hon. W. Gisborne. g IE Christchurch, 4th January, 1872. In reply to yours of the 18th ultimo, No. 631, I am directed by the Council of the Canterbury Acclimatization Society to furnish you with the following suggestions, which, although the time is too far advanced for a shipment of ova this season, may prove useful for the next. That as the last shipment of salmon ova made by the Otago Government was an improvement as regards packing, &c, on all previous shipments, an important point would be gained in securing the services of those who assisted in the attempt. Increased difficulties and risk would be occasioned by shipping from any other port but London. The selection of a swift sailing vessel is of the greatest importance. Superior advantages, conducing to success, are possessed by Lyttelton, and it would be desirable to make it the port of destination. The hatching arrangements at the Canterbury Society's Gardens are very complete, and, with a trifling outlay, capable of hatching out the entire shipment, should further removal in the egg state be deemed unadvisable. The Council have had no experience as to cost in such importations, but have no doubt but that the Southland estimate is a fair one, quoting as they do from Otago expenditure.