SALMON OVA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1074, 13 March 1911, Page 4

SALMON OVA.

SHIPMENT UY THE KUAHINB. The Ruahine brought to Wellington on Saturday one million uva of tho Atlantic salmon, a lish that is regarded as of great value, either from the standpoint of the sportsman or viewed as a tablo delicacy. Of the million ova in the shipment j'JO.OOO were obtained from (lie iiritish river Wye, and 000,000 from the Gorman Rhine. Although several unforeseen delays occurred during the trans-' portation of tho ova to l\e\v Zealand, the eggs have arrived in excellent condition, and the mortality rate has been very low. Of the English eggs one per cent, have succumbed, and, ol the Gorman consignment, four per cent, lu tho early days of salmon ova transport to this country, it was not uncommon to lose as much as 10 per cent, of the shipment. The consignment that arrived on Saturday was brought out by Mr. C. L. Ayson,' manager of the Government hatchery at Hakataramea. It was at first intended that the ova should be dispatched from London by the Corinthic, but ultimately they were detained for a fortnight pending tho departure of the next New Zealand steamer. Another delay of five days was occasioned by an accident to tho Ruahine at tho Canary Islands. The ova made the journey in shallow trays, each covered with a cloth, and a second covering of mossy fibre. The eggs average three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, and are salmon-coloured. They each have two tiny black specks, which become ultimately the eves of tho fish. The German ova being slightly more advanced in age than the English specimens are more, highly coloured. Delicate handling and assiduous caro have been necessary to bring the eva safely over their lengthy journey. They derive sustenance from chilled fresh water which has to be renewed every day. Dead eggs, which declare their condition by turning white, have to bo removed with the least possible loss of time, and this necessitated a constant watch being kept over the trays. Mr. Ayson', with the ova still under his care, left for the south by the Mararoa on Saturday evening. Tho cmbryonio fish will be Tailed south from Lyttclton this morning, and will be carted over tho latter portion of their journey to tho Waiau Itivcr, where they are to bo libcrated.