DISTRIBUTION OF SALMON FRY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1236, 20 February 1878, Page 3

DISTRIBUTION OF SALMON FRY.

The following is Sir J. C. Wilson’s report to the Acclimatisation Society on his recent mission to distribute salmon fry : Culverden, Amuri, Feb. 13,1878. To S. C. Farr, Esq., Secretary Acclimatisation Society, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Sir,—l have the honor to submit this report for the information of the Council, the members ■ of the society in general, and of every person who may have to distribute fish fry hereafter. On Monday, the 1i th instant* 1 started from the Addington station with fifteen fish-cans, each containing 100 salmon fry, seven stone jars of five gallons capacity, filled with fresh artesian spring water, and ropes and buckets ad libitum, at 2.53 p.m. by express train for Ambcrley. On reaching the north branch of the Waimakanri river the train was stopped, and by the ropes and buckets in the hands of six stout railway 1 iborers fresh water was drawn up. and the cans, having only two inches of the original water left in them, were refilled. The train proceeded to Ambcrley, which station was reached at 4.30 p.m. The Culver- j den station express waggon was there waiting with a pair of horses hired from the proprietor of th 3 Crown Hotel. The cans were again emptied as before, and refilled- this time with the spring water from the stone jars. On reaching the Waipara river, distant six miles, the cans were refilled with river water. In another ten miles the Star and Garter Inn at Waikavi was reached. Here I found a pair of Culverden nags, and having changed, proceeded to the Waikari Creek, distant one and a half miles. Here the cans were refilled as before, and I then made the best of my way to McGrath’s creek, about half-a-mile north,of the bridge over the Hurunui. Here the salmon fry were liberated with a loss of only four. 1 must in justice to myself state that the officiating curator himself observed that two of these were unhappy at starting; and, secondly, that the fry were almo-t too large to be conveyed in such a number in each can. In fact I attribute my success to the constant renewal of the water. I got back to Ambcrley at 1.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 13th instant, andreturned to Addington by the early train. The journey was repeated under similar circumst .uces on the afternoon of the 12th, and at the same hours, with the following difference; — Firstly, the fry were much smaller, and the risk of carrying one hundred fish in each can much loss. Secondly, the express train went faster, by winch fifteen minutes were gained in the trip to A m’oerley. Thirdly, this gain was lost by one of the Ambcrley horses having been changed for an inferior animal. Fourthly, that the loss was only one fish. I have been thus explicit because I think this will ho my last trip with fry. Some younger member of the society must in future underbake the task.

To conclude, the thanks of the society are due to the Hon. Mr Larnach, Minister for Public Works; Mr Conyers, Chief Commissioner of Railways; and Mr Lawson, Chief Manager in Canterbury. In truth, nothing could exceed the zeal and attention of every railway servant with whom I came in contact. I have, &c., J. Craoroft Wilson, Chairman.