DANGER TO TROUT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 247, 19 October 1933, Page 12

DANGER TO TROUT.

— • ■ %!? ' LIBERATION OF PERCH. TE AROHA PROPOSAL. Auprehension of danger to New Zealand* trout fisheries was expressed by several speakers at the meeting of the council of tho Auckland Acclimatisation Society on Tuesday, in connection with a request from the Te Aroha club for a supply of perch, or a corresponding grant, for liberation of the fish in the Waitoa Eiver and its adjoining streams and canals. That it was unlikely that the fish could travel down tho Waitoa, round tho short sea distance and up the Waihou, or Thames Rivers—which is the scene of great rain'bow trout-fish-ing in season —was pointed out by Mr. J. Gray in moving that tho request be granted. Mr. T. S. Withers moved an amendment that the decision be held over until it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that the savage fry-eating perch could not make the passage from tho Waitoa to the Waihou, if necessary leaving the onus of proof on Te Aroha. In any case, he said there was an enormous expanse of water that could not foe stocked to any appreciable degree by the amount of money sought, and since there was a possibility of danger to the unrivalled trout-fishing of other streams in New Zealand, he would bo definitely .against the proposals. Conflicting evidence was read, in which it appeared that perch congregated thickly at tho mouth of the Tukituki River, Hawko's Bay, while tho finest trout-fishing in the province exists in the higher rapids of the same stream. For this reason, the Hawke's Bay Club, unlike Southland, had given a recommendation in favour of the mixing of the two kinds of fish. However, it was pointed out that perch has not teen released in New Zealand except in lakes and land-locked waters, where there is no danger of their travelling to trout streams. In support of Mr. Withers, Mr. C. H. Drysdalo said: "It would be the greatest mistake in the world to introduce such a savage fish into our trout beds." The president, Mr. P. E. McKenzie, saying that sufficient information was to hand to decide the case, put the amendment, on which voting was evenly divided. Rather than give his casting vote, he let the motion lapse. On Mr. Gray's agreeing to amend his original motion to allow the society to secure information from Professor Percival, in view of his recent English and New Zealand' experience, also advice from the Canterbury and Otago societies, the members voted unanimously to defer action until the next meeting.