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Enclosure in No. 37. Mr. Youl to the Agent-General. My dear Dr. Featherston, — Waratah House, Clapham Park, January, 1873. I have the pleasure of reporting to you that the shipment of salmon ova to New Zealand by the "Oberon" was completed yesterday afternoon. Ice-houses filled, soldered down, and the ship may proceed to-day so far as the ova is concerned. In consequence of the excessive floods, there was very great difficulty in catching the fish, and at one time it was predicted by many who take an interest in the matter, that I should fail in obtaining a sufficient supply of eggs this season. However, I am glad to report that we have obtained and shipped a larger number than heretofore, viz., about 120,000, packed in 227 boxes, and I was enabled to place 187 at the bottom of the ice-house, the best possible position for their safety, and only 40 boxes on the top of the ice, a very insecure position; but having the ova at the docks, I thought it worth while to run the risk. These ova have all been taken and fertilized by the persons who did the same work for the shipments made to Tasmania by the "Norfolk" in 1864, and the "Somersetshire" in 1866, which proved so very successful, and the eggs have, as they were by those ships, all been packed in the moss with my own hands, except some dozen boxes packed by Mr. Buller. The whole operation has if possible been better done than in former shipments, excepting perhaps that by the " Windera " in 1869, which turned out, however, a complete failure, owing to the vessel having made so long a passage. Should the " Oberon " make the passage in ninety days, I feel confident of success, provided they have properly-constructed ponds, aud the same careful supervision in removing the ova from the ship to the ponds as we have used here. I have, &c, Dr. Featherston, Agent-General for New Zealand. James A. Youl.
No. 38. Mr. G. S. Cooper to Mr. Blakiston. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 25th March, 1873. No. 159.—"Oberon" sailed 25th January, 120,000 eggs. C. R. Blakiston, Christchurch. G. S. Cooper. [Similar telegrams sent to Superintendent of Otago and E. D. Butts, Esq.]
No. 39. Mr. Butts to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Southland Acclimatization Society, Sir,— Invercargill, 16th March, 1873. Adverting to my letter of the 4th January, and your reply of the 20th same, I have now the honor to inform you that Mr. Howard, Curator of this Society, will be prepared to leave for Dunedin early in March, to await the arrival of the " Oberon" at Port Chalmers. Arrangements have been made for a steamer to go alongside the vessel when inside the Heads to bring the ova at once to the Bluff, and the hatching-house is in thorough working order and will carry 120,000 ova if need; and everything has been done on our side to render the hatching a thorough success. Will you be good enough to forward me at your earliest convenience an order for Mr. Howard to receive the ova ? Also, what quantities (if any) are to be given to other Provinces. I am instructed to add that the Society are of opinion that it would be well to share the ova of the salmon and lake trout, if any arc shipped, but that it would be better to keep the salmon ova together. I have, &c, E. D. Butts, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Hon. Secretary.
No. 40. Mr. G. S. Cooper to Mr. Butts. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 3rd April, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th March last, explaining the arrangements which have been made for receiving the salmon ova expected by the " Oberon," for which I am directed by Mr. Fox to thank you.