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No. 8. Memorandum by Dr. Hector re Salmon Ova. As there appears from Mr. Creighton's letter, of the 12th September, addressed to the Private Secretary (Mr. Fox), to be some confusion between the orders sent by the Government and by the Acclimatization Societies for the shipment of salmon ova from America, I beg to state the circumstances, so far as I am acquainted with them. In conversation with Mr. Spencer Baird, Chairman of the United States Fishery Commission, when at Philadelphia, in the beginning of June, I was made aware of the extensive establishment which the United States Government maintains for tlte breeding and dissemination of valuable species of fish ; and, also, that some kinds of salmon found on the Pacific slope of the Continent had proved by experience to be most suitable for the purpose of acclimatization in other waters, from their hardy habits, great fertility, and high commercial value. I inquired whether it would be within the functions of the American Commission to co-operate with the New Zealand Government for the purpose of introducing salmon into that country. Professor Baird said he had full authority to do so, and that the Commissioners would take great interest in insuring tlie success of the experiment, which had already been tried on a small scale through the Auckland Society. He recommended that a large shipment should be made as the best way of insuring success, and, after some days' consideration, .he informed me that the Commissioners would make no charge for the ova, and only required to be repaid the expense of packing and delivery of the boxes of ova in San Francisco. He proposed that half-a--milliou of salmon ova should be sent by the October or November mail steamer this year, to be followed in February by a quarter of a million of the ova of the white-fish (Ooregonus albus), which is a very valuable species of salinonoid for acclimatization in our lakes, and estimated the cost at £400. Fearing that I might traverse arrangements entered into in the colony for the same purpose, and thus cause more ova to be sent out than could be reared in the breeding-houses in New Zealand, I inquired if any such order had been received, aud being assured to the contrary, as such an arrangement could not have been made without Professor Baird's knowledge, I telegraphed to Sir Julius Vogel, on the 17th July, to overtake the San Francisco mail, informing him of terms on which the ova could be obtained, and suggesting a vote on the same terms as on former occasions—viz., that Acclimatization Societies should bear half the expense, at the same time forwarding a copy of the telegram to Professor Baird, who replied (21st June), "I think I can, without difficulty, carrv out your promise to Sir Julius Vogel in regard to fish eggs, by delivering to any agent of the colony in San Francisco, properly packed, a half-million of salmon eggs in November, and a quarter-million of whitefish eggs later in the year, for the sum of £400 sterling." On reaching San Francisco, on the 10th August, I spoke to Mr. Creigliton, and also to Mr. Craig, of the New Zealand Insurance Company, and to the British Consul, Mr. Booker, all of whom agreed to see to the arrangements for shipping the ova in case instructions should have been sent by Government to the Fishery Commission, or if they arrived in San Francisco after I left on the 16th. From Honolulu, finding no instructions had been directed there from the colony, I wrote to Professor Baird, telling him that, in the event of the Government of New Zealand approving of the arrangement I had entered into with him, the ova would be delivered to Mr. Creighton, and requesting him to address any further communication on that subject to that gentleman. At the same time I pointed out to him that the season was too far advanced for receiving so large a consignment of salmon ova this year ; but I still hoped that the shipment of white fish ova would be approved of by Government, and sent as contemplated, and that the salmon ova could follow next season. 1 also wrote to Mr. Creighton, telling him that I had received no instructions at Honolulu, and leaving the matter in his hands in case he should receive any instructions. On arriving at Wellington, on 16th September, I found that a letter of instructions from Sir Julius Vogel, dated 26th July, had crossed me between San Francisco and Honolulu, and that a copy had been sent to Mr. Creighton. This letter authorized the expenditure of £500, to cover every liability of the Government for shipment, and all the expenses in America, on the seas, and in New Zealand. Anything in excess to be defrayed by the Societies. Under the circumstances I recommend the vote still to be taken, although only a small part may be required this year for the whitefish ova. Respecting the memorandum from the Hon. Dr. Menzies, I concur in the importance of carrying out to its completion, as he suggest.*, the experiment of acclimatizing the English salmon, which has so far been successful in the shipment by the " Durham" last year. But any further expenditure I think should bo directed to the introduction of American salmon. In case the funds voted are not sufficient both for the maintenance of the Southland ponds and for the introduction of American ova, I think the preference should be given to the former. 17th October, 1876. James Hector.

No. 9. Mr. R. J. Creighton to Mr. E. Fox. Sib, — San Francisco, California, 10th October, 1876. In continuation of my letter of 12th September, 1876, I have to state, for the information of the Hon. the Premier, that through the active agency of Messrs Cross and Co., of this city, acting for the Auckland Acclimatization Society, Professor Baird, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, rescinded his previous order, and gave instructions to Mr. Stone, the officer in charge of the McLeod River establishment, to send supplies of salmon ova to New Zealand. 2. Messrs. Cross kindly permitted me to peruse this correspondence, and as Professor Baird expressed his keen sense of dissatisfaction at the want of courtesy by the consignees of the first shipment of salmon ova to New Zealand, I felt it to be my duty to explain how this had unavoidably