7
H.—l4
Salmon Ova from Tweed Commissioners.
No. 1.-—lnsteuctions.—Salmon-ova Eefeigebatoh, s.s. "Aoeangi." The ova- or cool-chamber, containing the twenty-eight Howietoun boxes of salmon ova is built on the starboard side of No. 2 'tween decks, abreast the main hatch, with a cold-air trunk leading from the ship's provision-chamber, which is situated under the ova-chamber. This has been done to secure, by means of the regulating valve, an even temperature—say, not lower than 33° Fahr., nor higher than 35° Fahr. It is necessary that every care be taken to keep the ova-chamber at this temperature—first, to avoid accelerating the hatching process; second, to prevent the waste of store ice. It will be necessary for the attendant in charge to examine daily the ice-trays of the ova-boxes, fixed on the refrigerating-cases, and keep them well charged with pulverised or broken ice during the voyage. Also to fill the ice-wells encasing the ova-boxes in the same way, taking care to keep the door of the ova-chamber closed after each operation. In order to keep the ova-chamber free from ice water, it will be the duty of the attendant in charge to keep the drainage-scupper clear. The time for charging the ice-trays of the ova-boxes and the wells of the case will be best determined by careful observation. It is absolutely necessary to keep the cool-chamber securely locked up ; and on no account is the attendant to allow any one to interfere with his duties, or to disturb or examine any of the cases containing the ova. The temperature of the 'tween decks outside of cool-chamber, inside of cool-chamber, and inside of cases containing ova-boxes to be taken daily at 8 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m. The temperature on deck and of sea-water should also be taken at the stated times, and all duly entered in the journal under the respective headings. This journal to be handed to the Government officials on arrival in New Zealand.
Instructions relative to the Howietoun Cases containing the Ova. After taking off the lids (the screws not intended to be reinserted during the voyage), remove sawdust and the cross-bar at the top. Lift the board and replenish ice-tray as required. Take care the boxes are so placed that the waste water, if any, from ice melting may drip out at bottom. Ice should be kept in the ice-tray until the eggs are finally unpacked, and they should on no account be disturbed during the voyage. Thomas Johnson.
No. 2. To the engineer in charge of the salmon ova placed on board the s.s. " Aorangi" by Sir Francis Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand. —You will take particular care that the cases containing the ova are fully charged with ico, and the lids securely fixed and screwed down and placed in a cool position (not freezing) until the large ova-cases have been charged with ice, the doors fixed and landed, when you will see the twenty-eight salmon boxes placed inside of them and securely fixed, so as to avoid accidents during transit up country. The journals you have kept during the voyage will be
Packed in Box Dec. 25. Dec. 29. Dec. 31. Dec. 31. Jan. 3. Jan. 4. Jan. 5. Totals. 45 69 77 78 79 80 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 .00 .01 .02 .03 .04 .05 .06 L07 LOS L09 L10 Lll 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 17,250 1,100 17,600 14,300 3,450 18,400 18,400 18,400 3,450 18',000 14,625 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,350 17,600 17,^50 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,000 18,075 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,400 18,000 18,000 18,000 18,000 17,600 17,600 17,875 9,200 18,000 18,000 18,000 18,000 12,375 17,600 17,600 5,500 2,300 6,900 Totals 109,250 33,000 64,400 32,625 117,300 84,375 40,700 482,650