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Chatham Islands. — When weather-conditions were favourable good catches of blue cod and hapuku were made. The quantity and value of fish taken during the year show a decided increase on the previous year's operations. Returns. The following returns are appended herewith :— (1.) The various kinds of fish caught, and approximately the total quantities and. value of fish landed at the different ports, for the year ended 31st March, 1922. (2.) The total quantity of oysters taken from the different beds, the quantity disposed of in the Dominion, the quantity exported, and total value. (3.) The total quantity and value of fish imported into and exported from New Zealand during the year ended 31st December, 1921. (4.) The number of steam trawlers, oil-engine trawlers, and other vessels employed in net and line fishing, with the number of fishermen employed, and approximately the total number of persons engaged in the fishing industry at each port, for the year ended 31st March, 1922. (5.) The number and kinds of whales taken at each winding-station, and the quantity and value of oil, bonedust, or fertilizer produced. 1 have, &c, L. F. Ayson, The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. Chief Inspector of Fisheries. Report of Constable E. T. Berry, No. 1140, re Salmon Season 1922. Police Station, Glenavy, 9th June, 1922. I respectfully report that the 1.922 salmon season has seen a record run of salmon in the Waitaki River. The run commenced on the sth January, 1922, and they have been coming into the, river in large numbers ever since. The number of salmon caught with rod and line up to the end of April is twenty-four fish, a very poor showing, which is accounted for by the state of the river, which has been in fresh from the Ist January to the end of April. The river was only fishable for a few days during that period. There were some extra-big fish seen, estimated to be up to 60 lb. The first salmon was caught on the Bth February, and the last one on the 20th April. Since the fishing season ended, on the 30th April, I have kept a good watch on the river, and I have seen a fair number of salmon running since then. The caretaker at the Waitaki fishing-camp has also been keeping a lookout for me, and he reported to me that a big run came in on the 13th May and 25th. May, and this morning there was another big run of salmon. Ido not think that these last runs will go far up the river, which is getting low now. The weights of the salmon taken in the Waitaki River during the 1922 season ranged from 7 lb. up to 31 lb.

The Chairman, Portobello Marine Fish-hatchery Board, to the Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. I have the honour to report as follows regarding the operations carried on at the Portobello Marino Fish-hatchery during the year ending 31st March, 1922. The station was officially opened in January, 1904, and its history, written by the chairman of the Board, and incorporating the researches and the fine work done by Mr. Thomas Andorton, the first curator, was issued as a bulletin by the Board of Science and Art in October, 1921. Copies of this document have been sent far and wide to other biological stations, and to scientific workers whose publications have been presented to the hatchery library. One of the primary functions of the hatchery was intended to be the introduction into the seas surrounding this country of the best kinds of foreign fishes and other marine animals. Owing to the high cost of freight and of all shipping-charges which have resulted from the dislocation of trade produced by the war, a continuation of this work has become impossible for the present. When conditions become more favourable the Board would recommend to the Government that a further shipment of turbot, lobsters, and crabs be made to this country from Britain. It is advisable to confine efforts to the species whoso introduction has already been accomplished until their establishment is assured. Meanwhile the Board suggested to your Department that it might be possible to obtain a fresh stock of lobsters and crabs by offering a bonus of £5 per pair for their introduction. We are glad that the suggestion received the approval of the Minister, and that " The High Commissioner for Now Zealand was requested to bring the matter under the notice of owners of vessels trading to New Zealand, with request that they will bring it under the notice of the officers of their vessels, and suggesting that Professor Williamson, of the Scottish Fishery Board, would be glad to assist." It has also been suggested that a printed slip containing the offer of the bonus be issued to the Collectors of Customs at those ports at which overseas steamers call, with the request that they bo handed, to the chief officers and engineers of all steamers trading direct to this country. The position of the stock at the hatchery is stated by Mr. W. Adams, curator of the station, in his annual report to the Board, to be as follows :— " The stock of turbot still stands at fourteen, none having died since January, 1919. Although the fish have not increased in size during the past two years, all are in excellent condition, and free from fungoid disease. There is no doubt that we have been exceedingly fortunate in. being able to keep these fish so long. The turbot, in confinement, is very liable to ulceration on the under-side, due to friction against the bottom of the pond. There is no sign of development of the ovaries in any of the fish. Young turbot in Europe frequent the shallow water close inshore, but after reaching a