H.—ll

8

Presuming that you have ample instructions from New Zealand as to the distribution of these eggs, and leaving it to you to attend to their specific assignment, I have, (fee, R. J. Creighton, Esq., Spencer F. Baird, Agent for New Zealand, San Francisco, California. Commissioner.

Enclosure 2. in No. 23. Mr. R. J. Creighton to Professor Baird. Sir, — San Francisco, 15th January, 1878. Accept my best thanks for your letters and telegrams, and the valuable contributions of food fish for New Zealand, which you have been good enough to make on behalf of the United States Fish Commission. I have forwarded your letters and telegrams to the New Zealand Government, which will not fail to appreciate your kindness. Mr. Clark telegraphed me of the departure of the ova from Northville, on the 11th, and I expect their arrival to-night or to-morrow. I have made arrangement for their shipment per City of Sydney, which sails for New Zealand and Australia on the 21st inst., and have apprised the Government by cablegram, of the consignment, Mr. Clark's bill for the eggs will be forwarded to the colony, and a remittance direct made by the Government. I shall write to him to that effect. If I had been in funds, I should have had pleasure in paying the amount at once. I am happy to say that the shipment of salmon ova arrived at its destination safely, and has proved a great success. I think New Zealand is now fully stocked with salmon, at least, to such an extent, as to render further shipment, for some time to come, unnecessary. Small parcels of eastern trout have been sent and are successful, but I attach greater importance to the acclimatisation of white fish than to all the others, as well from the delicacy of the flesh as from its commercial value. New Zealand is a country of lakes and rivers peculiarly adapted for it. I can only express a hope that this consignment may fare better than the consignment of last year, I have, (fee, Professor S. F. Baird, Washington. Robert J. Creighton.

Enclosure 3. in No. 23. Mr. Frank N. Clark to Mr. R. J. Creighton. Sir, — Northville, Michigan, 11th January, 1878 I have this day shipped you two crates (500,000) of whitefish eggs for your Government, and telegraphed you to that effect. Please have your Government report condition, upon opening of the same to me. I have, (fee, Frank N. Clark.

Enclosure 4 in No. 23. Mr. R. J. Creighton to Mr. F. N. Clark. Sir, — San Francisco, California, 20th January, 1878. I have pleasure in acknowleding the safe arrival of ten boxes whitefish eggs for New Zealand from your fish-hatching house. They arrived early Friday, and were opened and examined by Mr. Woodbury, foreman of the State hatching house, San Leandro. They are in good condition, and promise to arrive safely at their destination. I have had them packed in ice in the ice-chest of the mail steamship City of Sydney, which sails on the 21st. They will remain in ice all the voyage, and be hatched out prompt on arrival. I regret that the consignment to the State Fish Commissioners of California and Nevada was valueless, as on opening them they were all found to be dead and stinking. They had been placed near the stove in transit; hence the total failure of the shipment. As it is impossible to freeze fish eggs in the express car, owing to the fact that a stove is always kept alight, I should suggest that in future consignments instructions be given that they be kept as cool as possible. The instructions on the Commissioner's crate not to let the eggs get below zero, appears to have been literally followed. The sawdust packing was at blood-heat when opened by Mr. Woodbury. To the absence of this special instruction I attribute the safe arrival of the New Zealand consignment, and a parcel of trout from Wisconsin. I forward Professor Baird's letter to the New Zealand Government, in which he intimates that your charges for the eggs would be Idol, per thousand and packing. You did not send me an account, but I presume this to be correct. The communication with the colony is monthly. I have requested the New Zealand Government to transmit the amount direct to you, and inform me of the fact. I likewise forward your letter to me with a request that the Government should report the condition of the eggs upon opening the same. I can only express the hope that the consignment may arrive at its destination in as prime condition as it leaves San Francisco. I have, (fee, F. N. Clark, Esq., Robt. J. Creighton. United States Fish Commissioner, Northville, Michigan.