THE ENGLISH SALMON.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 846, 10 March 1877, Page 3

THE ENGLISH SALMON.

The following correspondence appears in the Press of this day S?R,—Will you kindly find space for the publication of the following letter (slightly shortened) from myself, which was to have been read at the last meeting of the Acclimatisation Society. The remarks only apply to the now few remaining English salmon, the only representatives in Canterbury of all the trouble and care bestowed on the many costly experiments of obtaining the ova from England, Yours, &c, A. M. Johnson. “ Trout 'Dale Farm, “Opawa, February 8tb,1877. £l To B. W. Fereday, Esq,, “Dear Sir,—Your remark that “It is a pity to separate so few a number as there are of the English salmon,” is an important consideration, and your suggestion that “ I should accept a fair pecuniary remuneration for my loss," appears both fair and reasonable. “ I have devoted almost a lifetime to fishcultural pursuits, and during my connection the society liaye spent so much of my c®n pioney, chiefly in promoting the success pf both trout and salmon, that I should be the last person to put any obstacles, or allow myaelf to be actuated by any other motives than those of having for their aim the ultimate success of so important an undertaking. I confess, however, to possess ing the ambition of being instrumental in presenting a portion of the first ova obtained jrem the English imported salmon to the late Superintent of Otago, Mr Macandrew, who worked so jealously in the cause, and out of three shipments behoved so liberally towards the society and the Canterbury public. “ From experience gathered from all the other similar introductions it is my conviction that until an abundant supply of ova can be obtained from the imported fish tht ms fives, the practical result of the experiment wdl be very limited and success doubtful, “ I believe the best plan for obtaining success, with so comparatively small a number of fish, is that of liberating them in a

suitable river, where by means of a secure screen they might be protected from enemies, prevented from escaping to the open sea, and yet have access to the salt water. _ The terra suitable river, to include small dimensions, with clear, cold and broken water, gravelly shallows, abundance of natural food, and freedom from either trout or the American salmon. If the salmon could luxuriate under such favorable conditions it would indeed “be a pity to separate them.” Should, however, all these conditions be inattainable, perhaps a double chance of success might be achieved if a small number, say fifteen, were handed over to me, the balance of my share to be a fair money equivalent, and whatever that might be, I should consider myself bound in honor to set it aside towards providing, as near as possible, the conditions to render success complete. The great expense and risk attending the importation from England of salmon ova will probably debar any future attempts being made, and it would be a loss and reproach indeed were no good results to be achieved from this last and most successful shipment of English ova that has ever reached the Southern Hemisphere “ I was surprised to read that Mr Peacock considered I had virtually given up my claim to the ova. During the interview I had with that gentleman, he kindly offered to write at once to Mr Farr about it. I remarked it would be of little good ; the mischief was already done, and to remove the ova again would only imperil its safety. No allusion was ever made by me as to giving up my claim to the fish when hatched.

“ I think it due to the previous council to state that they have been greatly deceived by the misrepresentations of the secretary, Mr Farr, whose explanation, as published, in the Press, is at variance in several important particulars with my version, which is partly confirmed by the statement of the chief officer and captain. The box was not opened in my presence (as stated) at the Gardens; it was decided in the most emphatic manner by Mr Farr, MrWallace, and Dr Campbell, that under no circumstances would they admit ray claim to any of the ova, when I immediately left in the trap, with the intention of taking out a summons for robbery, with assault, I should not have alluded to this now. only that for four years I experienced so many similar instances of ill will and misrepresentation from Mr Farr, and have seen how much unpleasantness it has created and how much mischief it has worked in the society. That such conduct has not in 'olved myself and the society in a lawsuit is ~ue to the advice of Mr K. D. Thomas, who also very kindly expressed his willingness to do what he could as a member to see me righted ; therefore my respect for honest lawyers is doubly increased. “ I subscribe myself, “ Yours in respectful sincerity, “ A. M. Johkson.”