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No. 4. The Hon. Mr. Macandrew to Mr. Howard. (Telegram.) 4th February, 1878. Agent-General advises shipment to Melbourne, by " Chimborazo," 45,000 ova in ship's ice-house. Important ice ready immediately on arrival, about sth March. You had better be at Melbourne in time to have necessary arrangements for transhipment all ready. Mr. Howard, Acclimatization Society, Invercargill. J. Macandrew.

No. 5. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand, to the Chief Secretary, Victoria. Sir,— Wellington, 7th February, 1878. As this colony expects a small shipment of salmon ova by the " Chimborazo," from London, and as it is of the utmost importance that the ova should reach the Bluff within as few hours as possible after arrival in Melbourne, I have requested Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co., if necessary, to detain their steamer for a few hours in the event of the ova reaching Melbourne when the steamer is about to start for New Zealand. As the ova is stored in the " Chimborazo's" ice-house, there will no difficulty in removing it immediately on arrival, and, if need be, before the ship is entered inwards. In this latter case I venture to request that your Government may be good enough to direct the Customs authorities accordingly. I have, &c, The Chief Secretary, Victoria. G. S. WniTMORE.

No. 6. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand, to Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co. Gentlemen,— Wellington, 7th February, 1878. The bearer, Mr. 11. Howard, proceeds to Melbourne to make arrangements tor and take charge of a transhipment of salmon ova expected to arrive at Melbourne by the " Chimborazo." As the success of the undertaking depends greatly upon the ova reaching tho Bluff within the fewest possible days of arrival in Melbourne, I venture to hope that you will be good enough to afford Mr. Howard every facility in your power to this end, and that, if the " Chimborazo "should arrive on the eve of your steamer leaving, the latter might, if necessary, be detained for a few hours. Tho ova being in the " Chimborazo's " ice-house, there need be no difficulty in removing them the moment the steamer is moored, provided the Customs authorities do not interfere. A communication will be sent to the Government of Victoria on ihe subject. I have to request further that you will provide Mr. Howard with cabin passage from Bluff to Melbourne and back, including the amount in tho voucher for freight of ova. 1 have, &c, G. S. Cooper, Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co., Melbourne. (For the Colonial Secretary.)

No. 7. Mr. H. Howard to the Hon. Mr. Macandeew. Sir,— Wallacetown, 31st January, 1878. 1 have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of this date re salmon ova by " Chimborazo," and to state that my present intention is to leave by the steamer following the li Ringarooma" (which last sails from Bluff on 21st February), unless I find this will prevent my reaching Melbourne by the 3rd or 4th March, which should give me' plenty of time to prepare for the transhipment. Assured as I am by your telegram of the assistance of Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co., I should be glad if you could also authorize me to draw on the Government for expenses as occasion arises, or advance me before leaving a reasonable sum for that object. Would you also give such instructions to the railway authorities before my return as will prevent any unnecessary delay in transmission of ova from Bluff to the Makarewa Station ? I have, &c , The Hon. J. Macandrew. AVellington. H. Howard.

No. 8. Mr. G. S. Cooper to Mr. H. Howard. Sir,— Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Bth February, 1878. I am directed by the Colonial Secretary to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, addressed to tho Hon. Mr. Macandrew, and to enclose herewith a letter to Messrs. McMeckan, Blackwood, and Co., in which they are requested to include your passage fare from the Bluff to Melbourne and back in their voucher for transmission of ova. Your other travelling expenses will be paid, as on the former occasion, on receipt of the usual vouchers at the Treasury. The Railway Department has been instructed to afford all facilities for the prompt transmission of the ova to the salmon ponds. The Government of Victoria has been requested to direct the Customs authorities there to allow the ova to be removed if necessary before tho " Chimborazo " is entered inwards. lam only further to express a hope that you may be able to report a successful termination to your mission in due time. I have, &c, Henry Howard, Esq., Wallacetown, County of Southland. G. S. Cooper.