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From some of the members of the Assembly who called to pay their respects to our trout, I gather that the real difficulty in the matter is the unwillingness on the part of the Southland Society to permit the chance of injudicious interference at the time of re-shipment. I would beg therefore to propose that this difficulty be overcome by the shipment on arrival being placed under the charge of the representative of the Southland Society, to sec that the boxes are not opened and not exposed more than possible without a surrounding of ice. That one-fourth of the trout ova, or some portion of each variety, with some boxes of salmon ova, be handed over to the representative of the Canterbury Society j the boxes not to be all taken from one place, but some from the top, middle, and bottom. I make this communication in an unofficial manner, as one taking a great interest in the subject, and as one that has personally spent more money and time in the introduction of trout, and also attempted introduction of salmon, than any one else in New Zealand. I have, &c., The Hon. W. Gisborne, 'Wellington. A. M. Johnson, Curator.

No. 6. Dr. Hector to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 14th November, 1872. I understand that everything is ready at the Makarewa Ponds to receive the ova, and that it is only necessary to inform the Secretary of the Society there when advice is received from the Agent-General of the shipment having been made, so that he may be ready to receive and transport the ova to the ponds immediately on their arrival at the port (Bluff or Port Chalmers) to which the ship is consigned. If it is decided to divide the ova, it will be necessary that a qualified person, provided with apparatus, should attend at the same time on behalf of the Canterbury Societies that are to receive a share. No other steps can be taken to prepare for the reception of the ova that I think of at present. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. James Hector.

No. 7. Dr. Hector to the Hon. J. Hall. (Telegram.) Invercargill, 2nd January, 1873. Howard, Curator of Acclimatization Society here,- will take delivery of the ova. If shipped to Port Chalmers he will give share, as directed, to agent of Christchurch Society: if to Bluff, Christchurch agent must attend there. Howard will be ready to devote his whole attention on ships being telegraphed. Ponds here sufficient for 100,000 :if more expected please advise early. Hon. J. Hall, Wellington. J. Hector.

No. 8. Mr. Farr to the Hon. J. Hall. Dear Sir, — Christchurch, 6th January, 1873. I am instructed by the Council of the Canterbury Acclimatization Society to ask the General Government to grant that a small portion of the salmon and salmon trout ova be forwarded to Lyttelton for this Society on its arrival in New Zealand, provided the boxes in which it is packed are accessible, and could be given us without danger to the remaining ova. This request is made with a view of dividing and probably lessening the risk in hatching ; and feeling assured that our ponds are admirably adapted for the experiment, from the fact that their temperature can be regulated to almost any required degree by the aid of our artesian wells, we trust will be sufficient argument for the Government to grant the request. I am, &c., The Hon. J. Hall, Colonial Secretary, Wellington. S. C. Farr, Hon. Sec.

No. 9. Mr. G. S. Cooper to Mr. Farr. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 10th January, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Oth instant, requesting to be supplied with a portion of the salmon ova expected from England, and am directed by the Colonial Secretary to state that Government will endeavour to meet the wishes of the Society. As soon as Government are informed of the manner in which the ova is packed and the port to which it is shipped, you will be again communicated with. I have, &c., S. C. Farr, Esq., Hon. Sec, G. S. Cooper, Acclimatization Society, Christchurch. Under Secretary.