H.—ls

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or for any specimens that may be required at the station. To him we are also indebted for the loan of various useful literature. The spawning season of the flatfishes continues to be well defined both as regards season and depth of water. The first eggs were collected on 21st July, and between that date and 21st August, 2,545,000 sole and brill eggs were collected. A few sole-larvae were retained in the tanks up to the tenth day, by which time the eyes had become prominent and the pectoral fins 'Acre formed, but no trace of a commencement of the metamorphosis into the flatfish was found. A little more knowledge lias been gained of the spawning of several of our most valuable idod-lishes, but until these observations have been confirmed and brought. to a definite conclusion it would be inadvisable to include them or the drawings in this year's repori . General. —The stock of books on pisciculture and kindred subjects in the library has been considerably augmented during the year. Annual reports from various marine stations come to hand regularly, and the addition of these and other pamphlets, &c, makes the library one of the most valuable and necessary adjuncts to the station. The whole of the buildings and plant have been maintained in excellent repair. The interior of the cottage has been painted and papered throughout, and slight interior alterations have been made. New piston-rings have been fitted to tin- pump engine. The old pond-valves had become wormeaten, and new ones have been lilted. Two new cog-wheels have been tilted to the slip-winch. The dinghy and launch have been regularly slipped, scrubbed, and painted. The centreboard has been taken out of the launch and a new outer keel fitted, and eight new ribs have been put in, and she is now in perfect condition ami proving most useful. The alterations to the present ponds by subdivision and deepening were commenced on Ist March. Close upon 100 yards of concrete will be required for this work. About 30 yards have already been put iii, and it is expected that the whole "i "in time will be taken up with this work for the next two or three months. When completed these alterations will permit of a much more varied stock being kepi with little or no increased annual expenditure. The smaller ponds should prove suitable for ivaring-experiments, or they could be roofed over in the event of very severe cold weather should it be found necessary to protect any introduced stock. The report of the experiments witli regard to the retardation of the development of the eggs of the herring has pome to hand. am!, although it has been found possible to retard them for from fifty to fifty-five days, the numbers that have been hatched out at the end of that period were very small, ami I would not recommend that any attempt be made to bring them out until more favourable results can be shown. I do not consider that it would be possible to transport the adult herring alive to the Dominion. Owing to the alteration of her rwite, the fish-tanks and cooling-apparatus have been removed From the s.s. " Karamea," and are at present stored in London, and in the event of further shipments of any kind being made it would be necessary to fit them up on board some other vessel coming direct to Port Chalmers. Very little outside labour has been employed throughout the year, and the general workingexpenses have been kept as low as possible. I have, &c, T. Andbrton. .