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No. 25. The Hon. J. Bathgate to the Agent-General. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 15th March, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 21, 1873, of the 9th January last, on the subject of the shipment of salmon ova for this Colony. Extracts have been forwarded to the Acclimatization Societies interested. With reference to that part of your letter respecting the sum available, I would point out that you are in error in stating it to be £800, as there is still £900 available, namely: —General Assembly appropriation, £500; Invercargill Acclimatization Society, £300; Christchurch Acclimatization Society, £100. Total, £900. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. John Bathgate.

No. 26. Mr. G. S. Cooper to Mr. Blakiston. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 14th March, 1873. Adverting to your letter of the 24th ultimo, I am directed to transmit to you, for the information of the Canterbury Acclimatization Society, the copy of an extract from a letter which was received by the last mail from the Agent-General, in further reference to the delay in the shipment of the salmon ova for this Colony. I have, &c, C. R. Blakiston, Esq., Chairman, G. S. Cooper, Acclimatization Society, Christchurch. Under Secretary.

No. 27. Mr. G. S. Cooper to Mr. Butts. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 13th March, 1873. Adverting to my letter No. 70, of the 7th ultimo, I am directed to transmit, for your information, the copy of an extract from a letter which was received by the mail from the AgentGeneral, in further reference to the delay in the shipment of the salmon ova for this Colony. I have, &c, E. D. Butts, Esq., Secretary, G. S. Cooper, Southland Acclimatization Society, Invercargill. Under Secretary.

No. 28. Mr. Blakiston to Mr. G. S. Cooper. Sir, — Christchurch, 19th March, 1873. I beg to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, covering copy of letter from the Agent-General, of date 9th January, 1873. The Council of the Canterbury Acclimatization Society have instructed the Curator here, Mr. Johnson, to proceed to Dunedin in time to await the arrival of the " Oberon." We should be glad to know what instructions the Government propose to give as to the allotment of the Canterbury share of salmon ova. Also whether any burn (or brook) trout ova have been shipped. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, Esq., Under Secretary, Chas. Robt. Blakiston, Wellington. Chairman, Acclimatization Society.

No. 29. Mr. G. S. Cooper to Mr. Blakiston. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 22nd March, 1873. I am directed by Mr. Fox to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, relative to the allotment of the Canterbury portion of the salmon ova, also inquiring whether any burn (or brook) trout ova has been shipped, and to inform you that as yet no particulars have been received, but when they are you shall be further communicated with. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, C R. Blakiston, Esq., Chairman Under Secretary. Acclimatization Society, Christchurch.