#.—tfo. 2.

6

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE INTRODUCTION

success has crowned their efforts. They believe that the stocking of our rivers with salmon would confer a prominence and distinction on Tasmania which cannot be anticipated from almost any other source. Until the subject has been'further brought under the consideration of the Government and the Parliament, the Commissioners refrain from offering any specific proposal for the further prosecution of the undertaking. They may, however, with propriety now observe that two other plans for the introduction of salmon have often been proposed as a substitute for the direct action of the Government: It has been suggested that this important object might be attained by the offer of an adequate reward, or by calling for tenders. Both of these plans possess the advantage of securing the Colony against pecuniary loss in the event of the failure of the attempt; and they might both, with propriety, be had recourse to, at least without risk. But the Commissioners greatly doubt whether an enterprise, which must be new to whatever parties might undertake it, and which would involve in it the embarkation of so considerable a capital, is likely to be soon accomplished in that manner. On the other hand, the Commissioners are of opinion that the causes of probable failure in a future undertaking have been so well ascertained from the late experiment, and could be so certainly obviated and guarded against, that success could hardly fail to crown another effort, except in the case of actual shipwreck, or some similar disaster. As the Colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and New Zealand are all more or less interested in this question, they may all be expected to bear a share iv the expense of future undertakings. Victoria has already liberally assisted us, and a contribution of £200 has been received from New Zealand. The cost of another, and of each succeeding experiment, if more than one should bo found necessary, would certainly not exceed £1,000, which, divided among the five Colonies, would only require from each a contribution of £200, a sum quite insignificant when compared with the importance of the enterprise, and the benefits that must flow from its successful accomplishment. But, whatever future measures may be adopted for the further prosecution of this great undertaking, the Commissioners trust that the unalterable motto of this Colony, at least, will bo " Try again," until all difficulties have been overcome, and complete success achieved. The Commissioners respectfully refer your Excellency to the Report of Mr. Ramsbottom, transmitted herewith, for details connected with the experiment on board the "Beautiful Star," which it is not deemed necessary to embody in their Report. A statement of the whole expenditure incurred in this experiment is hereto appended. The expenditure under the direction of the Committee in London has considerably exceeded the estimate; but that result need not excite surprise, when the novelty of the undertaking is considered. Mr. Youl is of opinion that the cost of a future experiment would not exceed £1,000; while Mr. Ramsbottom estimates it at a still less amount. R. Officer, Chairman.

Appendix No. 1. Report by Mr. William Ramsbottom on the late Experiment on the Introduction of Salmon Ova into Tasmania, in his charge, by the ship " Beautiful Star." The "Beautiful Star" sailed from London, 4th March, with about CC.OOO salmon ova. J. A. Youl, Esq., and Mr. Robert Ramsbottom, of Clitheroe, accompanied us to Gravesend, where we anchored for the night. The ova and one young fry looking well. March sth, 1862.— Steamed to Margate Roads ; lay at anchor for three days through stress of weather. The ova on the glass trays in the Gimbal apparatus arc dying in great numbers, caused by the violent rolling of the apparatus keeping them continually in motion. Bth. —Weighed anchor; nearly reached the Isle of Wight, when a strong head wind compels us to put back to the Downs. Remain at anchor until the 12th instant ; during which lime the ova suffer greatly, both from the heavy labouring of the ship, and also from the varnish upon the Gimbal apparatus. Up to this time the loss of ova cannot be less than from 4,000 to 5,000. Since we put back, wrote to Mr. Ytful giving him all particulars respecting the serious loss of ova and the working of the apparatus. Mr. You], on the receipt of my letter, came down at once to see if anything could be done for the preservation of the ova; but 1 am sorry to say nothing at this time could be altered. Mr. Youl could only recemmend a strict attention to the suspended apparatus, which hitherto had worked tolerably well. 13th. —Weighed anchor 0.30 p.m.; wind south-cast, very strong. 15/ A all day taking out dead ova and removing from the glass trays those ova which yet look moderately healthy. Wind east, strong. 16^//.—Putting Lack to ihc Scilly Islands for repairs to the ships having in the night lost the plug of the propeller space. I find that the rust from the iron tanks is settling \t.ry thickly upon the ova and gravel. Should this rust be allowed to continue, lam persuaded that the whole would be entirely buried within a month. 17^,.—Reach Scilly Ibis morning. Remain until the 24th instant. 24<th. —Weighed anchor 12 a.m. Wind W.S.W. The loss of ova from the 12th to this date is about 2,500. 26^. —During the night of the 251h, and early this morning, a strong gale from the west. The ship laboured extremely, causing the apparatus to swing to and fro with such violence as to render it dangerous to approach it, —the bilge-water also washing up the sides of the ship (even to the deck), some of which fell in amongst the ova; but the assistant, seeing it, threw a covering of blankets over the whole of the apparatus, which prevented further injury ; and I have good reason to believe that little damage was done by the bilge-water, as but a very little got into the apparatus ; but, with the violent tossing and rolling of the ship, and swinging of the apparatus, it is impossible to state the precise loss of ova caused