SALMON.

Southland Times, Issue 1001, 10 August 1868, Page 2

SALMON.

(TO THE EDITOB OF THE SOTTTHIAND TIjCW.J Sib, — Our Estuary, into which not fewer than four rivers of considerable Tolume pour their water — combined, forming a beautiful sheet, six or seven miles long by about half that breadth, would be a fine resting place for the Salmon on their return from the sea, preparatory to their filing off to their I respective birth places in the Makerewa, Oreti, Waihopai, and "Waikivi, to meet again on their marine excursion the following season. If the rivers of this j province were properly stocked with salmon, which could easily be accomi plished in a few years, by the Provincial G-oyernment taking such action as it would consider necessary to the making of roads, railways, the development of coal fields, or anything tending to further the interests of the community, the annual revenue, 7*l all probability would be such as to relieve the inhabitants of Southland from local taxation in all time coming. , It may appear incredible to those who are unacquainted with the value of salmon fisheries to be told that the rivers of Southland could be made to yield an annual rental many times the amount of that of all the pastoral lands in it, and that too before the existing leases were half run. Such then being the rapidity with which, this industry comes into profitable operation, it is not a matter that ought to be allowed to run the risk of failure, in the hands of a few individuals, who may not, however persevering, succeed in getting the funds necessary to carry out what ought to be pre-eminently one of the very first duties of the State If it be desirable to provide a permanent annual revenue for the province of forty fifty or sixtythousand pounds or more, from its rivers, at an outlay of from JBSOO to .£IOOO annually for three or four years in succession, the development of this industry must not be allowed to depend upon the voluntary contributions of the members of the acclimatisation society. The G-ovemment must provide the sum necessary for the introduction of salmon ova from the home country for a few years in succession, the society relieving the Government of all trouble otherwise. "With the continent of Australia, as a permanent market for our surplus salmon (sent in ice as is done from Ireland and Scotland to London) just as the fish come out of the water, and arriving equally fresh at their destination, the annual .return from this single item of export, would, in a few yearspexceectrbelief, provided the rivers of the Northern Provinces were sufficiently cool, and otherwise suitable for the propagation of salmon. If not, the rivers of the Southern Provices, Southland and Otago in particular, would be all the more valuable. Feeling confident that the Press of the Province will give this very important subject the prominence and consideration it deserves.— l am, &c, Scotus. lnvercargill, 7th August, 1868. :