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no time. Have also directed special train to convey ova from Bluff to ponds. If vessel does not put in appearance at ence, result very doubtful. Ova should have been shipped from Clyde to have insured quick passage. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. J. Macandrew.

No. 67. His Honor J. Macandrew to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 2nd May, 1873. I ordered tug to bring " Oberon" alongside pier, so as to have ova despatched at once, as every moment's delay renders success more doubtful. Judge of my disappointment to find that vessel had to be anchored in the lower anchorage to discharge powder, and moreover had some eighty tons of cargo stowed above the ova; but for this, ova might have been transhipped to-day. As it is, I am sparing no efforts or expense to get over what cannot but be regarded as bad management somewhere. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. J. Macandrew.

No. 68. Mr. G. S. Cooper to Mr. Blakiston. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 21st April, 1873. I am directed by Mr. Reynolds to forward herewith a copy of a work entitled " Domesticated Trout," which has been received by to-day's mail from England, and may prove useful to the Canterbury Acclimatization Society. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, C. R. Blakiston, Esq., Christchurch. Under Secretary.

No. 69. Mr.. Blakiston to Mr. G. S. Cooper. Sir,— Christchurch, 25th April, 1873. I have received your favour of the 21st instant, also the work entitled "Domesticated Trout," and take the earliest opportunity of thanking Mr. Reynolds for directing the book to be forwarded to the Acclimatization Society here. I have read the work cursorily, and feel sure the hints therein will prove useful to the Society. I fear the " Oberon " is making a long passage, whereby the safety of the salmon ova is seriously jeopardized. I have, &c, C. It. Blakiston, Chairman, Canterbury Acclimatization Society. G. S. Cooper, Under Secretary, Wellington.

No. 70. Mr. Butts to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Southland Acclimatization Society, Sir,— Invercargill, 10th May, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that the salmon ova per " Oberon" arrived here in charge of Mr. Howard on Sunday, the 4th instant, and was all deposited in the hatchingboxes by Tuesday afternoon. I enclose herewith an extract from the Southland Times of the 6th instant, which gives a faithful description of the method employed in transferring the ova boxes and ice to the ponds, every care being used to prevent concussion to the ova, and so far successfully. I regret to have to inform you that in the curator's opinion the chances of a successful hatching are unfavourable. In a great number of the boxes there was an appearance of decay on the moss, and in all these the eggs were bad. When the moss looked green and fresh they turned out well in appearance, but even among them a very large proportion are blind eggs, i.e., not properly fertilized. I hear to-day from Mr. Howard that there arc 10,000 eggs on the gravel. How many of these are good and how many unfertile it is at present impossible to say. As soon as I can give you any further reliable information on the subject I will report. I have, &c, Edw. D. Butts, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chief Postmaster.