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2. Since it was written, Mr. J. C. Firth, of Auckland, has telegraphed to the Premier respecting a supply of ova which he anticipates will reach San Francisco in September or October. 3 lam to request that you will, as far as you can, assist towards the careful receipt and shipment of such ova. 4. You are not, however, to incur any expense on behalf of the Government unless you are authorized so to do by- Dr. Hector, to whom specific instructions as to the liability which may be incurred are being sent. I hare, Ac, •E. J. Creighton, Esq., San Francisco. E. Fox.

No. 5. Sir J. Vogel to Messrs. Gilchbist, Watt, and Co. Gentlemen, — . Premier's Office, Wellington, 2nd August, 1876. I have been informed that, by the September or October mail steamer from San Francisco, there will be despatched a shipment of salmon ova for the Acclimatization Societies of Auckland and Canterbury. 2. The Government desire to aid those Societies in the attempt to introduce American salmon to this colony ; and I have the honor to request that you will cause instructions to be given, so that at San Francisco facilities may be afforded for the careful receipt of the ova, and at Kandavau time may be allowed and assistance rendered to ensure their careful transhipment. 3. It is probable that in December, January, and February next ova may be received at San Francisco, through arrangements made by Dr. Hector on behalf of the Government; and I therefore ask that the instructions given to the captains and agents of the mail contractors' vessels may refer to these additional shipments, as well as to that on behalf of the Auckland and Canterbury Societies. Directions have been given to the New Zealand Mail Agents to assist as far as they can ; and I am sure that you and your company will be ready to co-operate in a work which, if successful in the case of New Zealand, will be likely to lead to the speedy acclimatization of salmon in various parts of Australia. I have, Ac, Messrs. Gilchrist, Watt, and Co., Sydney. Julius Vogel.

No. 6. Messrs. Gilchbist, Watt, and Co., to Sir J. Vogel. Sib,— Sydney, 22nd August, 1876. We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 2nd instant, respecting shipments of salmon ova expected from America. We send by the outgoing mail copy of your letter to the General Agents at San Francisco, with a request that they will do all in their power to see the wishes expressed carried out, and every attention paid, so as to ensure success to the introduction of the ova. We have, Ac, Gilcheist, Watt, and Co., General Agents for the Contractors, San Francisco Mail Service. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington.

No. 7 Mr. E. J. Cbeighton, to Mr. E. Fox. Sib, — San Francisco, California, 12th September, 1876. In reply to your communications of the Bth and 9th July, written by direction of the Premier, and covering a letter to Dr. Hector, I have to state that Dr. Hector sailed by the previous steamer for New Zealand. He told me that he had arranged for the shipment of 150,000 salmon ova and a quantity of white-fish from the East, and that he would write, giving instructions regarding their shipment, but I suppose he overlooked doing so in the hurry of departure, as I received no letter from him. Since then, I learned from Messrs. Cross and Co., who are acting for the Auckland Acclimatization Society, that the U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries telegraphed instructions to Mr. Livingston Stone, who ib in charge of the breeding-ponds in this State, on no account to send salmon ova to New Zealand, inasmuch as the receipt of the first parcel had not been acknowledged, while the newspapers credited the supply to Columbia Eiver, where there are no breeding-ponds, the fisheries being in private hands. Messrs. Cross have written to the U. S. Commissioner, and their explanation may be sufficient. Meanwhile 1 retain letter of instructions to Dr. Hector for another mail, and, should circumstances in my judgment warrant it, I will open it and ascertain the mind of the Government, as I propose, if necessary, making an effort to procure the ova on the terms arranged by Dr. Hector. As I have already explained, it may not be necessary owing to Messrs. Cross and Co's. action in the matter. I shall not incur any expenditure on account of the Government unless authorized to do so. Would you be good enough to communicate the contents of this letter to the Hon. the Premier ? and oblige, Tours, Ac, E. Fox, Esq., Private Secretary, &c, Wellington. E. J. Cbeighton.