THE INTRODUCTION OF TROUT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1961, 7 June 1880, Page 2

THE INTRODUCTION OF TROUT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —The letter of Mr Farr, under this heading, ia an instance of how facts and figures may be distorted into deceiving the public. The £3O alluded to, as paid me towards expenses, was simply an advance on account of salary a few weeks before due. From the printed report of the Acclimatisation Society of the year referred to, you will see that my statement corresponds with the balance-sheet, and that the only item shown as paid to me was my annual salary of £lO5. The journey to Tasmania was undertaken at a few hours’ notice, and under circumstances of considerable discomfort and peril, and at a personal expense of nearly £67, so I think the honor I claim of introducing the first trout has been dearly bought. Your readers may be interested to hear that from the produce of the three trout hatched most of the rivers in Canterbury were stocked, and upwards of £IOO was received by the society by the sale of the young fish. Had I been equally successful with my live fish venture with which I started from England I should then have claimed the honor of first introducing all the varieties of English fish worth having, from a salmon to a minnow, but as I only succeeded in bringing out some gold fish and English water-lillies, I hope I shall noc arouse further jealousy if I claim those also as among my introductions. The society now derives a considerable revenue from license fees and fines, whilst farmers are taxing themselves to keep in check birds already too numerous. Would not such a revenue be better expended towards the lessening of necessary rates and taxes and the operations of the society be made productive of more real good? is a question I would submit to municipal bodies, for it is to them that such revenue legally belongs. Yours, &0., A, M. Johnson. Trout Dale Farm, Opawa.