SALMON OVA.

Southland Times, Issue 1153, 25 October 1869, Page 3

SALMON OVA.

(TO THB BDITOB OF THB TIMBS.)

Sib, — In your issue of the 18th inst. you published a letter from Mr Macaudrew, Superintendent of Otago, to the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society here,, declining, on the part of that province, to join Southland in procuring a further supply of salmon ova. You introduced the letter to your seaders' notice with a few pertinent remarks, touching both the manner and matter of the letter, such as were naturally suggested by, and plainly to be inferred from, a perusal of the document. Next day — as might have been expected when Otago's failings were shown vp — out came what was, no doubt, intended to be a slashing article in the " News," in which " elections," " squatters," " officials," " rotten cause," "children in the market place," "voice of the charmer," <fca, <fee, got awfully mixed up with the ova.

The Acclimatisation Society of Southland is, of course, represented as a veritable " whale at ova." It is said to have gulped down 10,000 " generously presented by Otago free of cost " without an effort, and to be now requiting such unexampled liberality by " asking for mre" If tJmt Nt isn't ww $m

" reckless misrepresentation," call me a re-unionist ! As the " News" plumes itself greatly on veracity, it will, no doubt, be thankful to be properly informed of the facts of the case about which it has undertaken to enlighten the public. It might certainly have been more in accordance with the spirit of truth to have acquired the facts first, and published the article afterwards, but as the Editor spins out his own " leader" by dovetailing into it both Mr Macandrew's letter and your commentary, the mischief done is not likely to be serious.

First, then, we admit having got 10,000 ova from Otago. Secondly, not one of those egga produced a fish — no blame to Ofcago, as long voyage did it. Thirdly, Otago, at enormous expense, some £3000, got, at different times, 417,000 ova, of which only some 500 hatched. Fourthly, Southland has means to send for some on her own account. Fifthly, she asks if Otago is willing to go shares. Sixthly, Otago says she can't, and that's the whole mystery. Further, it may be remarked, and it should be noted by Southlanders, that Otago seems satisfied with very small results for very large outlays. Her 500 salmon fry cost her about £3000, independent of their proportion of the current expenses of the department, and yet the Superintendent, Mr Macandrew, in his speech at the opeuing of the Council at that time said — " lam glad to say that, so far as it has gone, the salmon experiment has been a complete success." If, as the " News " Bays, " the Governmeat has no funds at its disposal to devote to a further shipment of ova," simply means that the Dunedin Council" did not vote any money for the purpose," then I would like to know the meaning of the item inOtago's late Appropriation Bill — " Acclimatisation, last appropriated, £3,000 ; to be appropriated, £800." If that sum was passed in the Ordinance simply to make things look big, it was a dodge ;if in the hope that the Government would be able to afford it, and it can't, it shows poverty ; and if it has both been appropriated and expended, it shows they do things pretty lavish up there, and don't grudge a few thousands on their pet capital. — Yours &c, Yotttvq Iz4IAK.