13

H.—ls,

females been equal to other seasons nearly double the quantity of eggs would have been collected. The total quantity of eggs taken was 237,000, and these were disposed of as follows: 27,500 were supplied to the Tasmanian Government; 190,000 sent to the west coast; 7,500 retained at the Hakataramea Hatchery: 12,000, the loss during incubation. The salmon-eggs sent to the west coast hatched out very well, and the young fish were planted in tributaries of the Hokitika River. It is interesting to note that a number of the young fish were taken in whitebait-nets in the tideway of the river during the early summer, showing that they maintain in this country the same characteristics of going to sea at an early stage of their existence as they do in their native country. 3 The attached list gives the total number of salmon over a year old liberated from the Hakataramea salmon-station during the year, and also the number retained at the station. The following fish were liberated from the station in October, 1912 : Quinnat salmon, three years old, 503; two years old, 567. Rhine salmon, three and a half years old, 73. Atlantic salmon, three and a half years old, 69. The following fish were retained in the ponds on the 31st March, 1913 : Quinnat salmon, three years old, 70; two years old, 982; one year old, 17,924. Rhine salmon, four and a half years old, 20. Atlantic salmon, four and a half years old, 20. Collection of Trout-eggs. —The season was the most successful one experienced since the Hakataramea station was established. The weather conditions were favourable all through the time the men were at work on the rivers, the result being that all the eggs required were taken in less than a. month. The total quantity collected was 960,000; of this number 810,000 was supplied to different acclimatization societies, and the balance was hatched out and the young fish planted in the Hakataramea River and its tributary creeks. Taupo and Rotorua Fisheries. —At the request of the Minister for the Department of Internal Affairs, the Department sent me in August last to make an inspection and furnish a report on these fisheries. I made a careful inspection of all the rivers and streams flowing into Taupo Lake, and also the fish there and at Rotorua and other lakes, and furnished a report as instructed, with recommendations for the future working of these fisheries. 1 have, &c., L. F. Ayson, The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. Chief Inspector of Fisheries. The Chairman, Portobello Marine Fish-hatchery Board, to the Secretary, Marine Department. Dear Sir, — Dunedin, 21st May, 1913. I beg to forward the report of work done at the Portobello Marine Fish-hatchery during the past year, as submitted to tho Board by Mr. Thomas Anderton, the Curator. You already have received from Mr. Anderton direct the report of his trip to the Old Country and the successful introduction of turbot into New Zealand, together with a fine new stock of lobsters and crabs; also a full account of his attempt to introduce the ova of the herring, and the reasons for the failure of this attempt. The Board is of opinion that this attempt should not be renewed, at any rate, for the present. Under existing conditions the risks of failure are too great to justify a renewal of the shipment. In forwarding this report the Board wishes to record its great satisfaction with the services rendered both by Mr. Anderton and the assistant curator, Mr. W. Adams. To the former's unceasing vigilance and care, both before and during the voyage out, is due the success of the last shipment of fish and Crustacea; and during Mr. Anderton's absence the work of the station was carried on single-handed by Mr. Adams, everything being kept in first-class order. The success of the station is mainly due to the zeal and untiring industry of these two officers. 1 am, &c, The Secretary, Marine Department. Geo. M. Thomson. Gentlemen, — Marine Fish-hatchery and Biological Station, Portobello, 17th May, 1913. 1 have the honour to present the following (the seventh) annual report of operations at the Marine Fish-hatchery from the date of the last report, 4th May, 1912, to the present date. I have already forwarded to Mr. Allport a full account of the recent large shipment of lobsters, crabs, and turbot, and of the attempt to import the ova of the herring from England, and it will not be necessary to refer to it again except as to its effect on the past season's work, and with reference to the progress of the stock since their arrival on the Ist March. During my absence from the 3rd August, 1912, to the Ist March, 1913, the station was worked single-handed by Mr. W. Adams, with the exception of a little occasional assistance. As a consequence of this no flat fish ova were collected from the trawlers this season. The lobsters were examined on the 7th November, and eight out of fifteen females were found to be still carrying practically full bunches of well-developed eggs. They were removed to the smaller ponds on this date, the three carrying the most advanced eggs being placed in the glass tanks for hatching. The first larvae appeared on the 23rd November, a fortnight earlier than